The attorney for missing Virginia high school football coach Travis Turner addressed the charges of child pornography and solicitation levied against him amid his disappearance.
“We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” attorney Adrian Collins said in a statement on behalf of the Turner family on Tuesday, November 25. “We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process — not through speculation or rumor.”
The statement continued, “We ask the public and media to show compassion, accuracy, and respect for the family’s privacy.”
Turner, 46, went missing on Thursday, November 20, fleeing his family’s home as agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were on their way to question him about an open investigation.
He is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, the Virginia State Police revealed on Tuesday, November 25.
Police said additional charges against Turner are pending and he is currently considered a “fugitive.”
“The Virginia State Police is actively searching for Turner,” police said on Tuesday, requesting “the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to his whereabouts.”
Wise County Public Schools, who employed Turner, announced an unnamed staff member had been placed on administrative leave on Friday, November 21.
“At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us,” the statement read. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further.”
Wise County Public Schools provided an update on Tuesday, saying they are “aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave.”
“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” the statement continued. “The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward.”
Neither statement from Wise County Public Schools listed Turner by name.
Turner was officially listed as an “endangered missing person” by the Virginia State Police on Saturday, November 22, the same day Union High School played in the state regional semifinals. Turner was replaced by interim head coach Jay Edwards at the game, a 12-0 Union victory.
A search utilizing drones, K-9 units and a helicopter has focused on a wooded area near Turner’s home, according to Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Jason Day.
“He had went into the woods right near the general location of his house, and that’s basically where we’ve focused our search on,” Day said.
When asked to address speculation that her husband had gone into the woods with a rifle, Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, told the Daily Mail on Tuesday, “I was told not to comment.”
“We are all just hanging in there until we get news,” Leslie added, calling Travis “a good dad and a good husband.”
Union High School is scheduled to play Ridgeview High School in the state regional finals on Saturday, November 29.
Read the full article here
