Missing high school coach Travis Turner is being investigated for child pornography and soliciting a minor, police say.

Missing High School Football Coach Under Investigation

Travis Turner, a high school football coach, is missing and is being investigated for suspected child pornography and solicitation of a minor, as revealed on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old, who is married and a father, disappeared last Thursday in Appalachia, Virginia, around the time police were heading to his home. Initially, authorities did not disclose the specifics of the investigation.

On Tuesday, it emerged that Turner, the head coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, is facing five counts of child pornography and five counts related to solicitation of a minor using a computer.

Authorities announced that ten warrants for his arrest were issued late Monday. State police noted that they are actively searching for Turner, though details about the charges remained vague.

The situation took a strange turn last Thursday, as he went missing during what was supposed to be an undefeated season for his team. He was subsequently listed as a missing person in the Virginia State Police database.

Police were on their way to his residence as part of the early stages of the investigation when he disappeared. “This was part of an investigation and not an arrest. During the trip, investigators were informed that Mr. Turner was no longer at the location,” police explained.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, mentioned his disappearance, stating, “We love him and we need him here with us. Please continue to pray that he comes home.”

The mystery grew further when educators at Wise County Public Schools, which oversees Union High School, disclosed that an employee from the district has been placed on administrative leave. However, neither police nor the school confirmed if Turner was that employee.