A Virginia high school football coach who has been missing since last week is wanted on other charges related to possession of child pornography and enticing a minor, Virginia State Police announced Tuesday.
State police said they learned Thursday that 46-year-old Travis Turner was missing as they headed home to Appalachia, a West Virginia town of fewer than 2,000 people, as part of an investigation they have not previously released further details about.
After a day-long search, State Police announced that Union High School’s head football coach is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to entice a minor. Ten warrants related to the allegations were obtained on Monday, he said, without releasing further details about the charges.
Before Turner’s disappearance, the football team he coached was undefeated and preparing for a playoff game. The team won that game without him on Saturday and advanced to the regional finals, two games away from a potential state championship, CNN affiliate WCYB reported.
Turner, who is also listed as a physical education teacher at the high school, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses, VSP said earlier, without sharing details about when and where she was last seen.
Union High School is located just outside the community of Big Stone Gap and a few miles southeast of the town of Appalachia, where Turner lives.
“Wise County Public Schools is aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who is on administrative leave,” school district Superintendent Mike Goforth told CNN in an email Tuesday. “The individual remains on leave and is not permitted to be on school property or have contact with students.”
Goforth said the school district plans to cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
State police said Tuesday that authorities were continuing to search for Turner, who is now considered a fugitive.
Reached by CNN, Turner’s wife shared a statement from the family’s attorney, whom she identified as Adrian Collins.
The statement read, “I speak today on behalf of Coach Turner’s family. We pray for his safe return and for all those affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations must be addressed through the proper legal process – not through speculation or hearsay.”
The statement concluded by requesting the family’s privacy.
CNN has contacted Collins for more information, and also sought comment from Union High School’s assistant football coach.
Since her disappearance, authorities have used search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to help find her, state police said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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