Missing Virginia high school football coach now considered a fugitive

A Virginia high school football coach who went missing last week as his team prepared for a playoff game is now considered a fugitive.

Virginia State Police have issued 10 arrest warrants for Appalachian resident Travis Lee Turner, head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Turner, 46, is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

The investigation is ongoing, police said in a statement, and additional charges are pending.

“Police are actively searching for Turner,” the department also said. “Since his disappearance, VSP has used a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and K9s, to assist in the search. VSP’s main priority is to safely locate Turner; he is now considered a fugitive.”

On Nov. 20, special agents from the Wytheville Bureau of Criminal Investigation were dispatched to Turner’s home “as part of the initial stages of an investigation,” Virginia State Police said in the release.

“This was part of the investigation and not part of his arrest,” the department added. “During transit, officers were informed that Turner was no longer on scene.”

Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses. He has coached Union since 2011. Two days after Turner’s passing, the Bears improved to 12-0 with a victory in the regional semifinals.

“Wise County Public Schools is aware that law enforcement has filed a complaint against a staff member who was on administrative leave,” Mike Goforth, division superintendent of Wise County Public Schools, said in an emailed statement to The Times.

“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted to enter school grounds or have contact with students. The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Since this is an active legal matter involving staff, the division cannot provide additional comment.”