US Marshals offering $5,000 reward in search for missing Virginia football coach
Travis Turner is wanted for possession of child pornography.
The U.S. Marshals Service announced a reward of up to $5,000 on Monday for information leading to the arrest of a Virginia high school football coach who is wanted on charges involving child sexual abuse material and solicitation of a minor.
Travis Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, has been missing since Nov. 20, authorities said. He is wanted on multiple felony charges, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, according to Virginia State Police.
The U.S. Marshals warned that Turner “may be armed” and to “use caution” in a wanted poster released on Monday amid the search for the Union High School football coach.
Travis Turner.
U.S. Marshals Service
Turner was last seen walking into the woods with a gun, according to the coach's family.
“The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm,” a statement released on Friday from a law firm representing Turner's family said. “He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area.”
At that time, the statement from attorney Adrian Collins said, no warrants had been issued for Turner's arrest.
When Turner did not return home that evening, his wife notified law enforcement, the attorney's statement said.
“She was advised that a missing-person report could not be taken until at least 24 hours had passed,” the attorney's 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.”
Travis Turner is seen in an undated photo released by Virginia State Police.
Virginia State Police
Agents with the state police's Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were en route to Turner's home on Nov. 20 as part of an investigation, when they were informed he was no longer there, police said.
State police said they obtained 10 warrants for Turner on Nov. 24.
“Since his disappearance, VSP has utilized a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and k9s, to assist in the search,” state police said in a statement last week. “VSP's main priority is locating Turner safely; he is now considered a fugitive.”
Turner is a physical education teacher and head football coach at Union High School, in the Wise County public school district, according to the school's website. Amid his disappearance, the football team has advanced to the state semifinals, scheduled for this weekend, during its undefeated season.
In response to a request for comment on Turner, Wise County Public Schools it is “aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave.”
“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” the statement continued. “The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward.”
HUNT FOR FUGITIVE
New update in hunt for missing ‘pedo’ football coach Travis Turner after cops carry out ‘multiple’ searches at his home
Private investigators and ex-law enforcement personnel have spoken of the difficulties cops face as the
INVESTIGATORS hunting for fugitive football coach Travis Turner are said to have carried out several searches at his home as their probe continues.
Shamed Turner, 46, remains at large and he’s wanted on a slew of child sex crime charges.
Virginia investigators searching for fugitive Travis TurnerCredit: WJHL-TV
Turner disappeared on November 20 and hasn’t been foundCredit: Instagram
The Virginia sports coach suddenly fled his home armed with a rifle on November 20 and headed into the Appalachian hinterland.
His disappearance came as investigators were heading to his property to quiz him about a probe.
Search teams have combed the wilderness to try and find Turner, but there have been no leads.
The family’s lawyer, Adrian Collins, has confirmed properties belonging to the family have been searched.
“Their homes and properties have been searched multiple times, with their consent,” he told US Weekly.
Collins didn’t reveal if anything had been taken from the family’s home.
Turner’s family is still cooperating with cops, according to Collins.
But, there hasn’t been any major breakthrough in the case.
Ken Lang, a retired law enforcement veteran, has alluded to the challenges search and rescue teams are facing as they search rugged terrain.
“That’s a pretty remote, densely wooded area,” he told The Mail.
Travis Turner timeline
Before November 20:
Travis Turner was placed on paid administrative leave from his position as a high school football coach at Union High School.
Wise County Public Schools admitted he remained on leave until at least November 24.
Thursday, November 20:
Virginia State Police authorities went to Turner’s home in Appalachia, Virginia, to question him as part of an investigation into child sex crimes.
Turner suddenly vanished from his property.
He was reportedly last seen walking into a wooded, mountainous area, which he is very familiar with, with a firearm.
November 21-24:
Turner was initially declared missing.
An urgent search was launched, deploying search-and-rescue teams, drones, and K9 units in the Appalachian hinterlands.
Tuesday, November 25:
Virginia state troopers announced that they had obtained 10 warrants for Turner’s arrest, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Search continues:
Crews are continually searching for any sign of the coach.
Turner’s family have called for him to face the allegations in court in a message issued through their lawyer
Union High School, the team Turner coached, lost their undefeated streak on Saturday.
Lang said search teams will be looking for clues such as footprints and any broken twigs.
And, the effort to find Turner is made more difficult if he is dead and animals have started to eat the body.
Private investigator Patrick McCall suspects Turner might well have fled Virginia, or could be hiding with friends.
Turner’s wife, Leslie, didn’t formally report him missing until November 21 – giving Turner a 24-hour window.
She was told she couldn’t submit a missing persons report in the immediate aftermath of Turner’s disappearance.
Turner, who coached the Union High School Bears football team, left behind his car, keys, driving license, medication, contact lens and glasses at his home.
He left behind his medication despite needing it on a daily basis.
That was around three days before the warrants for Turner’s arrest were announced.
In addition to five child pornography charges, Turner is wanted on five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Collins sent a direct message to the fugitive.
“Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law,” he said.
“Don’t leave your family to fight this battle without you. They love and miss you.”
The US Marshals Service has issued a $5,000 reward as they continue to search for Turner.
But, Lang warned the amount might not be tempting enough for some.
“$5,000 in this day and age is a bit small,” he said.
“It may entice somebody to call but for those who might be family or friends who are loyal to him, that might not be enticing enough.”
Turner vanished when his team was undefeated.
The Bears’ undefeated streak ended on December 6 following a 21-20 loss against Glenvar in a state semi-final match-up.
Turner’s wife Leslie urged him to face the allegations in courtCredit: Facebook
Private investigators suspect Turner (pictured) may have fled VirginiaCredit: Virginia State Police
search continues