- Virginia State Police are searching for high school football coach Travis Turner, who is wanted on criminal charges.
- Turner faces charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor with a computer.
- He was reported missing on Nov. 20, the same day federal agents were sent to his residence.
Virginia State Police are still actively searching for Travis Turner, the missing high school football coach who is now wanted on criminal charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor with a computer in the midst of an undefeated season.
Turner, 46, was officially named as a missing person on the Virginia State Police website on Sunday and listed as missing since Thursday, Nov. 20, when federal agents were sent to Turner’s residence in Appalachia, Virginia, and informed in transit that Turner was no longer there. Additional charges are pending, the Virginia State Police said, and the case remained under investigation. Turner had not been reported found as of 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth on Tuesday, told USA TODAY the district was aware law enforcement had filed charges against ‘a staff member who has been on administrative leave.’ He also noted that the staff member ‘is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students.’
Turner was a well-known figure around Southwest Virginia, with a long history of athletic achievement that included time as a college quarterback. Here’s more on Travis Turner as authorities continue the search to arrest him:
Travis Turner was in same recruiting class as Michael Vick
Travis Turner played quarterback at Appalachia High School in Virginia for his father, Virginia High School League Hall of Fame member Tom Turner. They won three state championships together (1995-97).
Travis Turner was recruited to become a member of Virginia Tech’s 1998 recruiting class, which also included Michael Vick. Turner transferred to Division-II UVA-Wise for the 1999 season when Vick memorably led the Hokies to the national championship game.
Travis Turner played against Tony Romo in college
After leading UVA-Wise in passing in 1999, Turner transferred to Football Championship Subdivision school Eastern Kentucky. He led the EKU in passing in 2002 when the team finished with an 8-4 record in legendary coach Roy Kidd’s final season. The campaign included a 25-24 loss to Eastern Illinois on Oct. 12 in which Turner dueled with future Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Travis Turner coaching career
Turner has been the football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, since 2011, according to multiple reports. An assistant coach served as head coach in Turner’s place when Union’s football team improved to 12-0 this past Saturday with a 12-0 win over Graham High School to advance to Virginia’s Region 2D championship game.
