Virginia High School Coach Missing After Entering Woods With Gun; Faces Child Exploitation Warrants

APPALACHIA, Va. — Virginia State Police are searching for a high school football coach who vanished on Nov. 20 after reportedly walking into a mountainous stretch of woods with a firearm. Investigators later obtained 10 warrants alleging possession of child sexual abuse material and online solicitation of a minor.

According to a statement released by attorney Adrian Collins on behalf of the coach’s relatives, 46-year-old Travis Turner left his home “on or about Thursday, Nov. 20” carrying a gun and stating he intended to take a walk in a heavily wooded area near his residence. Family members told authorities Turner did not return that evening. His wife contacted law enforcement but was advised that a missing-person report could not be filed until 24 hours had passed. The next day she submitted the report to the Virginia State Police (VSP).

Turner is a physical education teacher and head football coach at Union High School in Wise County. The school’s team has continued its season in his absence, reaching the regional finals with a 12-0 record. No administrative action concerning his employment had been announced as of Friday.

State police said members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office were already traveling to Turner’s residence on Nov. 20 as part of an ongoing inquiry when they learned he had left the property. After confirming his disappearance, investigators secured five warrants for possession of child pornography and five warrants for using a computer to solicit a minor. Authorities have classified Turner as a fugitive.

Search efforts have involved ground teams, tracking dogs, drones and other resources, VSP said in a written update. The terrain surrounding Appalachia is densely forested and mountainous, complicating the operation and limiting visibility. Inclement weather has periodically forced rescuers and volunteers to scale back their activity.

The attorney’s statement noted that family members and friends have mounted their own search alongside official crews “with respect for the operations underway.” Relatives expressed hope that Turner will be located alive and “have the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law.”

Under Virginia law, possession of child pornography is a Class 5 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Using a computer or other electronic device to solicit a minor for sexual purposes is also a felony and can carry a sentence of five to 30 years, depending on the circumstances and the age of the minor involved, according to the Virginia Criminal Code.

Imagem: Internet

Local school officials have referred all questions to law enforcement and have not commented publicly on the investigation. Practices and games have proceeded under interim coaching staff, and school counselors were made available to students.

The VSP asked anyone who may have seen Turner, spoken with him since Nov. 20 or located personal items he might have carried to contact the department’s Wytheville Field Office. Tips can also be submitted through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which maintains a hotline for information on fugitives wanted in child-exploitation cases (missingkids.org).

Turner is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and approximately 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. State police advise the public not to approach him if spotted and to call 911 immediately, citing the possibility that he is armed.

No court dates have been scheduled. Authorities indicated that the warrants will remain active until Turner is located and served. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement.

Crédito da imagem: Virginia State Police