A respected Virginia high school football coach is now a fugitive from justice, wanted on serious allegations of possessing child pornography and using a computer to solicit a minor.
Community Leader Faces Serious Allegations
Travis Turner, the 46-year-old Union High School football coach, has been missing since last Thursday when Virginia State Police special agents attempted to interview him as part of an investigation. According to an arrest warrant obtained by police, Turner now faces five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, with additional charges pending.
The married father of three was last seen entering nearby woods wearing a grey sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and glasses after officers discovered he was no longer at his residence. Since his disappearance, search and rescue teams have been utilising drones and K9 units in an effort to locate him, though these efforts have so far proved unsuccessful.
From Local Hero to Wanted Man
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the small community of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where Turner had established himself as a respected figure. Since taking over at Union High in 2011, he had twice been honoured as Southwest Virginia Coach of the Year and built the Bears into a regional football power.
Turner's football credentials run deep in Virginia. He was once a star quarterback in nearby Appalachia, where he led his team to three state championships under the coaching of his legendary father, Tom Turner. Following in his father's footsteps, he initially enrolled at Virginia Tech before transferring to Virginia Wise and ultimately finishing his college career at Eastern Kentucky.
It was during his time at Virginia Wise that he met his future wife, Leslie, a psychology major from Wise County. The couple have three children together, and Leslie has been a fixture at Union High football games throughout her husband's coaching career.
Football Success Overshadowed by Criminal Investigation
Under Turner's leadership, Union High School's football team had established itself as a formidable programme. This season, the Bears were considered state title contenders after a strong 9-4 season the previous year. They dominated opponents with convincing victories, including wins of 62-6, 49-7 and 27-0 en route to another playoff berth.
Even Turner's mysterious disappearance couldn't stop the team's momentum, as the Bears won their playoff game against Graham 12-0 in his absence. They are now scheduled to play in Saturday's VHSL Class 2 Region 2D Championship against Ridgeview.
Turner had developed a reputation for nurturing talented players, including future NFL tight end James Mitchell, whom he had watched develop from peewee football alongside his own son. "Every time he'd catch a pass, it was a touchdown," Turner once said of Mitchell. "Kids couldn't tackle him. And he was just so naturally gifted of a runner."
Family and Community React to Shocking Developments
The mood in Big Stone Gap has shifted dramatically since the allegations became public. In a since-deleted Facebook post, Turner's wife Leslie wrote: "I just wanted to get on here for a second to clear up something, as of right now, 10:25 PM on Friday night, Travis is missing, & that's all we know. We love him & need him here with us."
Family attorney Adrian Collins released a statement on Tuesday saying: "We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process—not through speculation or rumor."
Wise County Public Schools has placed Turner on leave and prohibited him from school property or contact with students. The school district stated it is "aware of the charges" and is cooperating with law enforcement.
Virginia State Police are asking anyone with information about Turner's disappearance to contact Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
