Coach Travis Turner still missing, case details closed

WISE — As the ongoing manhunt for Union High School football coach Travis Turner continues, the Commonwealth's Attorney for Wise County and Norton has explained why records related to felony charges against Turner remain closed. The charges against the 46-year-old Wise County coach are five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, as announced last month shortly after he went missing Nov. 20. It was the same day authorities were going to his home to question him, but before he formally faced charges, and those went public Nov. 24, the same day the U.S. Marshals Service joined in the manhunt for Turner. If not found, next Saturday, Dec. 20, will mark Turner being missing for a full month. Local and state agencies are part of the search, as well as two federal agencies. Wise County Schools removed Turner's name and image from its website as a faculty member at Union, but Superintendent Mike Goforth has declined comment on the situation. SEARCH STILL ACTIVE "There are no updates at this time," Richmond-based Virginia State Police Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Demlein wrote in an email seeking an update Friday afternoon. "Unfortunately, Travis Turner is still missing. We continue to ask for the public's help in providing any information that may lead to his whereabouts." The case has generated national and international media coverage, along with rumors and speculation rampant on social media. It also prompted the offering of a $5,000 U.S. Marshals Service reward for information leading to his apprehension. To give a tip about his whereabouts, go online to https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip. Those with information also may call the Marshals Service tipline at 877-926-8332 or email usmarshals.gov/tips. In addition, anyone with information about Turner's whereabout may call Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Those tips can be made anonymously. Turner's photos and file video of him have been widely circulated online and in the media. Now classified as a fugitive from justice, he is listed by the Marshals Service as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing about 235 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities have warned he may be armed and dangerous, and Demlein Dec. 3 confirmed the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in the search for Turner. RECORDS CLOSED Commonwealth's Attorney Brett Hall this week released a statement about the ongoing investigation and charges issued by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations against Turner. The Wise County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police and U.S. Marshals Service are involved in the manhunt for Turner, who authorities said was last seen leaving his residence in Appalachia with a firearm the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 20. "Virginia Codes 2.2-3706 and 2.2-3706.1 provide duties to disclose information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but they also enumerate several exceptions and exemptions to the disclosure of information concerning criminal investigations and cases," according to the release, provided Friday by Jessica Hood, director of outreach and public relations for Hall's office. Those records are housed in the Wise County Circuit Court offices. "There are several rules that make the release of information from my office discretionary. Specifically, information that may interfere with an ongoing investigation that would deprive a defendant of a fair trial, or information that would disclose the identity or invade the privacy of a victim is all excepted under the above-referenced code sections," the release said. In the release, Hall was directly quoted as saying those were grounds for withholding the files and information in them. "Since the investigation is ongoing at this time, to ensure a fair trial and to protect the identity and privacy of any victim, no information will be released at this time. We look forward to releasing information and statements, as the law allows, if and when any new information arises," Hall said in the Wednesday release. Hood on Friday there was nothing to add to the information in the news release and that the release was in response to public records requests. FAMILY PLEA Turner's family earlier this month issued a plea through a local attorney for him to make his whereabouts known and turn himself in to authorities. "If Travis has the ability and is able to respond to his family's wishes; your wife and children are in distress," Wise attorney Adrian Collins said Wednesday, Dec. 3, in a statement on behalf of Turner's wife, Leslie, and family, as previously reported. "Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law," said Collins. "Don't leave your family to fight this battle without you. They love and miss you. They want you to know they are your support." Collins said Leslie Turner was concerned on Nov. 20 because her husband left his car, keys, prescription medications, contact lenses, glasses and wallet with cash, license and contents at home. Collins said she was told to file a missing person's report about her husband Nov. 21. "His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him," Collins said Dec. 3. Collins further indicated that Turner's wife and family have been cooperative with authorities in repeated searches of the family property in Appalachia, across a ridge from where the Union Bears football team started a post-regular season quest for Virginia playoffs that ended with a loss Dec. 6. The score was 21-20 with the Glenvar Highlanders of Roanoke County edging out a win. Travis Turner's father, the late Tom Turner, was a coach at the former Appalachia High for 26 years and had teams that won five championships during that time. Travis Turner played football there with his father as coach, and the field house there was named for the father after the elder Turner died in 2006.