CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Society

Missing Virginia High School Coach Facing Child Pornography Charges Last Seen Walking Into Woods With Gun — $5,000 Reward Offered

04:42 AM, 12/03/2025
Missing Virginia High School Coach Facing Child Pornography Charges Last Seen Walking Into Woods With Gun — $5,000 Reward Offered

Overview: Travis Turner, 46, the head coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va., has been missing since Nov. 20 after family members say he walked into heavily wooded, mountainous terrain with a firearm.

Charges and search: Virginia State Police have obtained 10 warrants for Turner — five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor — and consider him a fugitive. Search-and-rescue teams, drones and K9s are active in the search, and a $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Context: Turner was the head coach of an unbeaten Union High School team now advancing in the state playoffs. A staff member has been placed on administrative leave pending the legal process.

Travis Turner, 46, the head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, has been missing since Nov. 20 after family members say he walked into heavily wooded, mountainous terrain carrying a firearm.

Turner’s family, through attorney Adrian Collins, says the coach’s last known contact with relatives was on or about Thursday, Nov. 20, when he left his residence to walk into the woods with a gun. The family reports that Turner did not return home that night; his wife filed a missing-person report with the Virginia State Police the following day after being told she could not file one until 24 hours had passed. Collins said the family is cooperating fully with investigators.

Virginia State Police have obtained 10 warrants for Turner: five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. State police now consider Turner a fugitive and say search efforts have included search-and-rescue teams, drones and K9 units as authorities work to locate him safely. Officials have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Turner is described as over 6 feet tall and about 260 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses.

Union High School — whose football team was unbeaten under Turner — has continued in the state playoffs in his absence and is scheduled to play in the state semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 6. Wise County Public Schools has confirmed that a staff member has been placed on administrative leave, is not permitted on school property and is prohibited from contacting students while the legal process continues.

What authorities are asking: Anyone with information about Turner’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Virginia State Police immediately. Tips that lead to an arrest may qualify for the $5,000 reward.

The investigation remains active. Authorities continue to search the area where Turner was last seen and to follow leads in the case.

Similar Articles

Trending