THE wife of Travis Turner, the high school football coach accused of child sex crimes, has issued a desperate plea to the fugitive.
Turner, who worked at The Union High School in Virginia, has been missing since November 20.
Travis Turner’s wife Leslie has issued a desperate plea to her fugitive husband as she proclaims his innocenceCredit: Facebook
Travis Turner has now been missing for over two weeks and is considered a fugitiveCredit: United States Marshals Service
The 46-year-old has been charged with multiple felonies including five counts of possession of child pornography, and using a computer to solicit a minor.
He vanished from his Appalachia home where he lived with his wife and three children hours before Virginia State Police arrived at the house to question him.
His family has said that he was last seen and they have not heard from him since.
A family attorney has noted that at the time he fled the home, there were no warrants out for Turner’s arrest.
However, he is now considered a fugitive and a reward of $5,000 has been posted for information leading to his capture, the U.S. Marshals Service announced this week.
They warned he “may be armed” and that the public should “use caution”.
Meanwhile, his distraught wife, Leslie, who has been blindsided by the allegations against her husband, has pleaded with him to “face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law”.
“Don’t leave your family to fight this battle without you,” the statement said.
“They love and miss you. They want you to know they are your support.”
It comes as the search for Turner stretches into its third week.
Cops have scoured the mountain wilderness for the wanted man but have not yet found anything.
“While the family’s last contact with Travis causes them to have great concern for his well being, they cling to the hope he will be found and afforded the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law,” his family said in a statement via their attorney.
FAMILY’S PAIN
The family who say they are “in distress” have been working with law enforcement with “multiple” property searches in a bid to find him.
They revealed that he left behind his car, keys, and wallet as well as daily medications, contact lenses and glasses.
Earlier in the week, his wife was forced to defend herself, saying she did not help her husband flee and has been asking for help to locate him.
She previously told The Mail that her husband is innocent and is a good dad and husband and has since
Last week, Turner’s son since the charges were filed against his father.
After charges were filed against Turner, Wise County Public Schools, which oversees Union High, issued a brief statement clarifying that Turner is on administrative leave.
“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” they said.
However, his teacher’s profile has since been entirely scrubbed from the school’s website.
Travis Turner timeline
Before November 20:
- Travis Turner was placed on paid administrative leave from his position as a high school football coach at Union High School.
- Wise County Public Schools admitted he remained on leave until at least November 24.
Thursday, November 20:
- Virginia State Police authorities went to Turner’s home in Appalachia, Virginia, to question him as part of an investigation into child sex crime
- Turner suddenly vanished from his property.
- He was reportedly last seen walking into a wooded, mountainous area, which he is very familiar with.
November 21-24:
- Turner was initially declared missing.
- An urgent search was launched, deploying search-and-rescue teams, drones, and K9 units in the Appalachian hinterlands.
Tuesday, November 25:
- Virginia state troopers announced that they had obtained 10 warrants for Turner, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Search continues:
- Crews are continually searching for any sign of the coach.
- His family is defending his innocence and calling for his safe recovery.
- Meanwhile, his undefeated high school football team continues to compete in playoff games without him
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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