Virginia High School Football Coach Now Wanted on Child Exploitation Charges

Authorities say Travis Turner, a Union High School coach in Wise County, Virginia, is now a fugitive facing charges over possessing child sexual abuse material and soliciting a minor.

Authorities in Virginia say a high school football coach who vanished last week is now a wanted fugitive. Travis Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, faces charges including possessing child sexual abuse material and using a computer to solicit a minor.

Virginia State Police (VSP) say they went to Turner’s home last Thursday as part of the investigation and found he was not there. Since then, investigators have deployed drones and search-and-rescue teams to locate him. A VSP spokesperson said Turner is now a fugitive and remains the department’s top priority.

Additional charges are anticipated, police noted.

Turner works as a physical education teacher and the head football coach at Union High School in the Wise County Public Schools district, according to the district’s website. The district told national outlets it is aware of the allegations against a staff member and that the employee has been placed on administrative leave. INLIBER has reached out for comment.

The division notes Turner is prohibited from school property or contact with students, and officials will cooperate with law enforcement as the case evolves. Because this is an ongoing legal matter involving personnel, officials cannot provide further comment at this time.

According to Virginia’s missing persons database, Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses.

Meanwhile, the Union High School football team, without its coach, advanced to the Virginia regional final and kept a perfect 12-0 season intact.

Key Takeaways

Turner faces charges related to child exploitation and online solicitation.
A major search effort, including drones, is underway to locate him.
The school district has placed Turner on administrative leave and is cooperating with authorities.
The football program continued its undefeated run despite the coach’s absence.

Expert Insight

Education safety experts emphasize that such investigations balance student protection with due process, often requiring close collaboration between schools and law enforcement.

They note that ongoing cases demand careful communication and clear safeguarding measures for students during the inquiry.

Summary

Virginia authorities are actively pursuing leads in a case involving a former Union High School coach linked to serious charges. The district has placed him on administrative leave while cooperating with investigators to ensure student safety. The Union High football program pressed on with an undefeated season, highlighting the disruption and resilience surrounding the case.