Family’s Plea for Travis Turner
The family of Travis Turner, a Virginia high school football coach who has gone missing, is urging him to return home and confront the serious allegations against him. He is accused of possessing child pornography and soliciting a minor.
Travis, 46, was last seen on November 20 when he left his residence in Appalachia, Virginia, located near the North Carolina border. His family reported that he departed with a firearm but without essential items such as medication or keys. They are now appealing for him to come back and defend himself legally.
Attorney Adrian Collins, representing the Turner family, stated, “If Travis has the ability and is able to respond to his family’s wishes; your wife and children are in distress. Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law. Don’t leave your family to fight this battle without you. They love and miss you.”
Leslie Turner, Travis’s wife, has publicly denied the accusations regarding child pornography possession and claims she was unaware of any solicitation allegations. On the day he went missing, Virginia State Police visited their home solely to ask questions.
According to Collins, criminal charges were not filed against Travis until days after his disappearance. He emphasized that at no point was Travis considered a fugitive or wanted by law enforcement when he went missing.
Following his absence, authorities charged him with five counts each of possession of child pornography and soliciting a minor.
The U.S. Marshals Service has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to Turner’s arrest. He is described as White, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 235 pounds with brown eyes and hair.
In light of these serious allegations and his disappearance, Wise County Public Schools placed Turner on administrative leave. He is prohibited from entering Union High School in Big Stone Gap or contacting students.
Despite the ongoing situation involving their coach, Turner’s undefeated football team advanced through the state playoffs but faced defeat in the Virginia High School League Class 2 semifinal against Glenvar High School on Saturday with a close score of 21-20.
