Travis L. Turner Child Pornography Investigation
Travis L. Turner (born 1979) is a former Virginia high school football coach who became the subject of a criminal investigation in November 2025. Turner, aged 46, disappeared shortly before authorities announced multiple charges against him related to child pornography and solicitation of a minor. His case has drawn significant media attention due to his fugitive status and the removal of his profile from Union High School’s staff directory.
Turner was employed as a football coach at Union High School in Wise County, Virginia. He was known locally for his involvement in athletics and his family ties to the school district, where his eldest son, Bailey Turner, works as a physical education teacher. On November 21, 2025, officers from the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office attempted to contact Turner at his Appalachia residence regarding an ongoing investigation. Authorities stated that the visit was intended for questioning only, not arrest. Turner was reported missing shortly thereafter.
On November 25, 2025, police announced that ten warrants had been obtained against Turner, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. Investigators noted that additional charges were pending. Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses. An extensive search was launched across Wise County, employing drones, K-9 units, and foot patrols.
Following Turner’s disappearance and the announcement of charges, Union High School removed his profile from its online staff directory. Wise County Public Schools confirmed that a staff member had been placed on administrative leave with pay pending review of external allegations, though the district initially did not name Turner. Superintendent Mike Goforth later clarified that the individual charged remained on leave, barred from school property, and prohibited from contact with students.
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