WISE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
Travis Lee Turner is now wanted by the U.S. Marshals for the possession of child pornography. To submit a tip about a fugitive, click here.
As we’ve previously reported, he was last seen walking into the woods with a firearm, according to an attorney for the family. Authorities say he remains missing.
Turner was last seen Nov. 20 entering a heavily wooded, mountainous area. Adrian Collins, who issued the statement on behalf of the Turner family, said Turner’s wife contacted law enforcement when he did not return home that evening. She was told a missing person report could not be filed until 24 hours had passed.
The missing person report was filed on Nov. 21, and search efforts have been underway since.
As previously reported, Virginia State Police have obtained warrants for Turner on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
“The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending,” said Robin Lawson with the Virginia State Police. “The Virginia State Police is actively searching for Turner, and we are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to his whereabouts.”
Turner is no longer listed in the Union High School staff directory on the school’s website.
See the full statement from Adrian Collins below:
On Behalf of the Family of Coach Travis Turner
On behalf of the family of Travis Turner, I wish to express their sincere gratitude to all who have shown concern during this difficult time.
The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm. He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area. At which point, no warrants had been issued for his arrest.
When Travis did not return home that evening, his wife promptly notified local law enforcement. She was advised that a missing-person report could not be taken until at least 24 hours had passed. The following day, she filed a missing-person report with the Virginia State Police. The family has cooperated fully with law-enforcement in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis.
Family members and friends have also conducted search efforts in the surrounding woods. These efforts have been limited by weather conditions and with respect for the official operations underway.
It is the family’s prayer that Travis is safe and will have the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law.
Adrian Collins, Attorney at Law
UPDATE
Child pornography charges have been filed against Union High School football coach Travis Turner, according to Virginia State Police.
Ten warrants have been obtained for Turner, and he is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are pending, authorities said.
Turner still has not been located and is now considered a fugitive.
Virginia State Police is asking anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Turner to please contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can be made anonymously.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story continues to develop.
ORIGINAL STORY
Uncertainty remains as the search continues for a missing high school football coach in Wise County, NBC affiliate News 5 WCYB in Bristol reports.
Virginia State Police has been trying to locate Union High School football coach Travis Turner for several days and issued a statewide alert. Authorities said the 46-year-old man from Big Stone Gap vanished when officers were going to his home for an investigation. Details surrounding the investigation remain unclear, but State Police stressed they were not going to Turner’s home to arrest him.
Turner is described as a 6-foot-3, 260-pound man. He was last seen on Thursday in Wise County wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses, according to police.
State Police have used search and rescue teams, drones and K-9 units in their search, which has focused around the town of Appalachia, where Turner lives. Virginia State Police spokesperson Matthew Demlien spoke with NBC News about the efforts.
“Virginia State Police has utilized a number of assets” to “hopefully locate Turner safely,” Demlien explained.
He added, “While in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer at the location.”
Wise County Public School Superintendent Mike Goforth told NBC News that Turner is on administrative leave. Additional details about the nature of the leave or when it began were not provided.
“A staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to the division,” Goforth said in a statement Monday.
“This is standard procedure and is not a determination of wrongdoing,” the statement said. “This situation also involves an active law-enforcement matter, and the division cannot comment further.”
Turner’s disappearance came two days before the Union Bears football game. The team defeated the Graham High School G-Men, continuing a 12-game winning streak to advance to the Regional Championship. Students and community members gathered for a prayer circle ahead of kickoff.
“No matter what’s going on, we can count on our neighbors, and we can count on those God’s put in our life, and we can count on our community to be bigger than the situation we’re facing,” said Bryan Gunter, a pastor at the Baptist Church of Big Stone Gap.