Update: Southwest Virginia football coach faces criminal charges

The Southwest Virginia high school football coach who went missing last week is now facing a rash of charges related to a child-pornography investigation.

Travis Turner, 46, of Appalachia, has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography, and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

Virginia State Police announced the charges on Tuesday, in a statement in which it was noted that VSP is still “actively searching for Turner.”

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ICYMI

• High school football coach in Wise County still missing as team continues playoff run

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“Since his disappearance, VSP has utilized a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and k9s, to assist in the search. VSP’s main priority is locating Turner safely; he is now considered a fugitive,” the State Police said in a statement.

Turner, the head football coach at Union High School in Wise County, went missing on Thursday as state troopers were on their way to his home to question him in connection with the case.

Turner’s football team, which is undefeated in the 2025 season, went through with its playoff game on Saturday, and defeated Graham High School, 12-0, to advance to a regional championship game this weekend.

Turner is a former Virginia Tech Football recruit who also played at UVA-Wise and Eastern Kentucky. He was the starting QB for three state championship teams at Appalachia High School, where he played for his father, Tom Turner.

Travis Turner has been the head football coach at Union High School, the successor school of Appalachia and Powell Valley, the alma mater of UVA Football legend Thomas Jones, since 2011.

Wise County Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth confirmed Tuesday that Turner has been placed on administrative leave.

“Wise County Public Schools is aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave,” said Goforth, the former girls’ basketball coach and athletics director at Union High School. “The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students. The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further.”

Anyone with information on Turner’s whereabouts is asked to contact Virginia State Police by calling 276-484-9483 or emailing [email protected].

Tips can be made anonymously.