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Missing high school football coach Travis Turner is wanted by police on five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Turner is now considered a fugitive, according to a warrant obtained by Virginia State Police (VSP).
Officers have been utilizing search and rescue teams, drones and K9 units to track down Turner, who mysteriously disappeared late last week amid his undefeated football team’s ongoing playoff run. VSP are now asking anyone with information about his disappearance to contact Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email [email protected].
A Wise County Public schools spokesman said the district is aware of the charges, and without naming Turner, declined further comment.
'The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,' read the school statement provided to the Daily Mail. 'The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further.'
Special agents were on their way to Turner’s home to interview the Union High School football coach on Thursday night as part of the early stages of an investigation. While en route, officers were told he was no longer at home, sparking concern over his whereabouts days before his Bears’ scheduled playoff game against Graham.
Missing high school football coach Travis Turner is now wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor
His wife Leslie Caudill Turner announced Saturday that he 'is missing and that's all we know'
Turner was last seen entering the woods near his home in a grey sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and glasses.
Despite widespread concern over his disappearance, Union defeated Graham, 12-0, to advance to the the Region 2D title game scheduled for this Saturday against Ridgeview.
Turner appeared upbeat about his undefeated team in a resurfaced clip from days before his mysterious disappearance in Virginia 's Appalachian Mountains.
'It's going to be a battle here … and our kids will be ready,' the 46-year-old told the Union Sports Network on November 15 about an upcoming opponent. 'Their coaches do a great job. They're very athletic… They're strong up front and they're just well coached.'
At the time, Turner was discussing his Bears' next playoff game against Graham – a contest Union would go on to win, 12-0, on Saturday to improve to 11-0 on the season.
However, that game was played without Turner, who'd gone missing days earlier.
In a since-deleted Facebook post, his wife, Leslie, offered the following update on Saturday: '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. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love & support. It means more than you know. Just keep praying that he comes home.'
A younger Turner is seen alongside his wife, Leslie. The couple lives in Western Virginia
Turner is pictured alongside is wife, Leslie, who has called for prayers to find her husband
Turner's sudden disappearance came after he led Union to an undefeated season and the team ranked among the top in the state within their division
Turner was perfectly calm less than a week earlier when discussing his team's November 15 win over Lee.
'I thought we did a good job of adjusting to what they were trying to do offensively,' Turner told the Union Sports Network. 'We had some penalties that I thought were kind of iffy… and we overcame those and got some first downs and got some touchdowns.
'Our kids just played hard.'
Wise County school officials announced on Friday that an unidentified employee was placed on administrative leave as part of an external investigation.
At the time, child pornography allegations against Turner had yet to be revealed by police.
Turner was a high school football star himself, quarterbacking three state championship teams from 1994-97.
He has served as the head coach at Union since 2011 and was honored twice as the Southwest Virginia Coach of the Year.
Turner's sudden disappearance came after he led Union to an undefeated season and the team ranked among the top in the state within their division.
Union is back in action this Saturday against Ridgeview in the Region 2D title game. The Bears previously beat the Wolfpack, 42-21, back on October 9.
