Football Coach Wanted on Child Pornography Charges Was Last Seen Walking into Woods with Gun — as $5,000 Reward Offered

The family of a missing Virginia high school football coach who is now wanted on child pornography charges says they last saw him more than a week ago as he walked into the woods carrying a gun.

Travis Turner, head coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va., was last seen on Nov. 20, according to a Virginia State Police bulletin. ABC News reported that, through their attorney, the family said the 46-year-old’s “last known contact” with them was “on or about Thursday, Nov. 20, after he left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm.”

“He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area,” family attorney Adrian Collins said in a statement. Collins added that, at the time Turner went missing, a warrant had not yet been issued for his arrest. According to the attorney, Turner’s wife contacted authorities later that evening when he did not come home.

“She was advised that a missing-person report could not be taken until at least 24 hours had passed,” the statement said. “The following day, she filed a missing-person report with the Virginia State Police. The family has cooperated fully with law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis.”

State police later announced that investigators had secured 10 warrants for Turner: five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

Initial reports from ABC News, WCYB and WJHL said Turner is now considered a fugitive as the search for him continues.

Turner, who lives in Appalachia, Va., disappeared just two days before his undefeated Union High School football team was scheduled to play in the state playoffs. Since his disappearance, Union has won its first three postseason games and is now set to compete in the state semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 6, against Glenvar High School, with a trip to the state championship at stake.

Virginia State Police said in a statement that the search for Turner has “utilized a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and K9s, to assist in the search,” adding that “VSP’s main priority is locating Turner safely.”

Wise County Schools issued a statement after news of the investigation, according to WJHL, confirming that a staff member had been placed on administrative leave without naming Turner.

“Wise County Public Schools is aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave,” the statement said, per WJHL. “The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students. 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.”

State police said Turner is more than 6 feet tall and weighs about 260 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses.

According to ABC, Virginia officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Turner’s arrest.