DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images
Virginia High School Football Coach Missing, Wanted on Child Pornography Charges
Update: 12/1/2025
Just days after Travis L. Turner, a head football coach at a high school in Virginia, was reported missing, Virginia State Police announced he’s wanted for child pornography charges.
Police announced on Tuesday, November 25 that Turner, 46, is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, according to Fox 13 News. Additional charges are currently pending.
Virginia State Police spokesperson Robin Lawson said that Turner is “now considered a fugitive,” according to NBC News. Meanwhile, Lawson said that police are using dogs and drones in hopes of finding Turner.
Turner was last seen on November 20. He was officially listed as a missing person one day later on November 21. Authorities visited Turner’s home as part of the investigation, which was when they discovered he was no longer there.
Fans Outraged After Kim Kardashian Spotted With Alleged Elephant Bag in ‘All’s Fair’
In light of his disappearance, police are currently searching for Turner. According to Fox 13 News, he was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and glasses.
Nearly one week after his charges were revealed, the U.S. Marshals Service announced on Monday, December 1 that they are offering an award of $5,000 for information that could help lead to Turner’s arrest. Additionally, a new wanted poster shared that Turner “may be armed” and urged people to “use caution” if they cross paths with them.
The law firm representing Turner’s family issued a statement about his disappearance on Friday, November 28. “He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area,” the statement said, per ABC News.
Turner currently works as the head football coach for the Union High School Bears in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
On Monday, November 24, Wise County Public Schools confirmed that an unidentified staff member was placed on administrative leave with pay, according to Fox 13 News. The employee’s job status is pending an internal investigation into external allegations.
“A staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to the division. This is standard procedure and is not a determination of wrongdoing. This situation also involves an active law-enforcement matter, and the division cannot comment further,” Wise County Public School Division Superintendent Dr. Mike Goforth said in a statement, per the outlet.
‘Wicked’ Ending, Explained — The Truth Behind Glinda’s Final Moment in ‘Wicked: For Good’
Goforth added in another statement that the “individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” according to NBC News.”The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further.”
In light of Turner’s absence, assistant coach Jay Edwards has been appointed interim coach for the football team.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Life & Style does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.