Union High School football coach Travis Turner, wanted on multiple counts of child pornography and related charges.

A Virginia high school football coach who is wanted on criminal charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor with a computer was last seen walking into the woods with a firearm, according to reports.

Travis Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, according to the Virginia State Police. The agency has not shared details on what led to the charges but noted that additional charges are pending.

Turner, who was a well-known figure around Southwest Virginia and the head football coach at Union High School in Wise County, was last seen on Nov. 20. State police said in a Nov. 25 news release that authorities are "actively searching" for Turner.

Adrian Collins, an attorney representing the family of Turner, told local television stations WCYB and WJHL that the family's last known contact with Turner was on Nov. 20 after he "left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm."

"He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area," Collins said in a statement, the television stations reported on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. "At which point, no warrants had been issued for his arrest."

Collins said Turner's wife alerted local law enforcement after her husband did not return home that evening but was told a missing persons report could not be taken until 24 hours had passed, according to WCYB and WJHL. A missing person report was filed on Nov. 21 and the family has since been cooperating with law enforcement, the television stations reported.

"Family members and friends have also conducted search efforts in the surrounding woods," Collins added, according to the television stations. "These efforts have been limited by weather conditions and with respect for the official operations underway."

Collins and the Virginia State Police did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's requests for comment on Nov. 30.

High school football coach considered a fugitive

The Virginia State Police previously said it had obtained 10 felony warrants for Turner on Nov. 24. As part of the "early stages" of the investigation, the agency said agents were sent to Turner’s residence in Appalachia on Nov. 20.

But while in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer at the residence, according to state police. Since his disappearance, state police said it has used search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to assist in the investigation.

The agency noted that its "main priority" is safely locating Turner, who is considered a fugitive. The investigation remains ongoing, state police said.

Appalachia is a town in Wise County, Virginia, about 40 miles north of the Virginia-Kentucky state line.

Who is Travis Turner?

Turner taught physical education at Union High School, the same school where he coached football. As of Nov. 30, he is no longer listed on the school’s website.

Amid Turner's disappearance, the Union High School football team remained undefeated and advanced to the state semi-finals on Nov. 29, according to WCYB.

Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth previously told USA TODAY the district was aware law enforcement had filed charges against "a staff member who has been on administrative leave." Goforth, who would not name the employee, said the staff member was on leave and is "not permitted on school property or to have contact with students."

Before teaching and coaching at Union High School, Turner played quarterback at Appalachia High School where he was coached by his dad, Virginia High School League Hall of Fame member Tom Turner.

Turner was a member of Virginia Tech's 1998 recruiting class, which also included Michael Vick, USA TODAY reported. Turner transferred to Division-II UVA-Wise for the 1999 season when Vick memorably led the Hokies to the national championship game.

Turner later transferred to Eastern Kentucky University in 2002, where his team finished with an 8-4 record in legendary coach Roy Kidd's final season. The campaign included a 25-24 loss to Eastern Illinois on Oct. 12 in which Turner dueled with future Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missing football coach Travis Turner last seen walking into woods with gun

Reporting by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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