A high school football coach in Virginia wanted on multiple child pornography charges has been missing since November 20, last seen walking into a wooded area with a firearm, according to his family's attorney.
Travis Turner, 46, head coach of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, left his home in Appalachia and entered a 'heavily wooded and mountainous area,' attorney Adrian Collins said. The family's last contact with him was on November 20, when he left with a gun and did not return. His wife reported him missing the next day after being told to wait 24 hours.
Five days after his disappearance, authorities issued 10 warrants charging Turner with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. Additional charges are expected, and he is now considered a fugitive. Police said they had visited his home on November 20 as part of an early investigation but were not seeking to arrest him at that time.
Turner's wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, denied the allegations, telling The Daily Mail: 'None of that is true. He's a good dad and a good husband, and we want him home.' Virginia State Police have launched an extensive search using drones, K-9 teams, and ground crews, while family and friends have also conducted searches hampered by weather.
Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses. Anyone with information is urged to contact Virginia State Police at (276) 228-3131.
