A FUGITIVE football coach who disappeared while he was being investigated for allegedly having child pornography isn’t the first teacher at his school to face perverse charges.
Missing Travis Turner’s disturbing case is just the latest in an alarming string of incidents at Union High School in rural Virginia.
Virginia State Police were on their way to question the 46-year-old at his home in Wise County, located in Appalachia near Kentucky and Tennessee, on Thursday when he ran into the woods and disappeared.
Troopers searched for him over the weekend with the help of community members before revealing their investigation and filing charges.
Turner’s wife, who has begged for his safe return, said she knew nothing about the accusations and has defended his innocence.
Meanwhile, the Wise County School System revealed that Turner was on paid leave when he vanished and that he is banned from contacting students.
Turner’s charges came just two years after another Union High School teacher was accused of acting inappropriately with a minor.
In 2023, Timothy Lee Meador, who was a science teacher, assistant football coach, and assistant baseball coach, was indicted on three felony child sex related charges, NBC affiliate WCYB reported.
He later pleaded guilty to two felony charges of “taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in custodial or supervisory relationship,” court records show.
Meador served one year and three months in prison and is now active on the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry.
Yet another teacher working for the school district was arrested and accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor in August.
Tyler Jay Tibbs, a 28-year-old teacher who worked at Coeburn Middle School just 30 minutes away from the high school, has been charged with three counts of carnal knowledge.
According to the Virginia Criminal Code, this means having sexual intercourse with a child aged 13 to 15 without the use of force.
He’s also been accused ot taking indecent liberties with a child that he had a custodial or supervisory relationship with.
Tibbs has been released from jail on a $25,000 bond and dismissed from the school district. His legal case is ongoing.
When asked about the string of arrests, Wise County Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth said they couldn’t comment on personnel matters but insisted they are cooperating with law enforcement.
FAMILY SPEAKS
Meanwhile, Attorney Adrian Collins who represents the family, says she hopes the allegations do not cloud the search for her client.
“We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time,” she wrote in a statement.
“Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process—not through speculation or rumor.
“We ask the public and media to show compassion, accuracy, and respect for the family’s privacy.”
Ten warrants have been obtained for Turner, who is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
WIFE’S REACTION
Turner’s wife Leslie ardently defended her husband after she was asked about the charges.
“I don’t know anything, I’m sorry,” Leslie told the Daily Mail.
“We are all just hanging in there until we get news.”
She said that “none” of the allegations are true and described Turner as a “good dad and a good husband.”
Online rumors have circulated that claim Turner was seen running away from his home with a rifle.
When asked for her reaction to the speculation, Leslie said, “I was told not to comment.”
Turner’s disappearance came in the midst of an undefeated season and just days before a key playoff game.
The team is currently 12-0 and set to face Ridgeview High School on Saturday in the Class 2 regional championship game.
Meanwhile, a newly surfaced interview captured Turner gushing about “battle” as he spoke of his undefeated football team.
