Police were likely watching Travis Turner long before he ran into the woods with a gun, experts say. Turner, a 46-year-old high school football coach and father of three, is wanted on child pornography charges in Virginia. He disappeared on November 20, just as police were preparing to question him at his home in Appalachia, Virginia. Since then, state police, the FBI, and the US Marshals have been searching for him. A $5,000 reward is now offered for tips.While officers have not shared many details, experts told the Daily Mail that cases like this usually start online. Many believe Turner may have been caught through a secret police sting or flagged by tech systems that track illegal images. Virginia State Police later confirmed Turner faces 10 charges, including five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. The search has now entered its third week, with no public breakthrough announced.
Travis Turner likely caught through undercover sting or digital trail, experts say
Criminologist Dr. Alex del Carmen from Tarleton State University told the Daily Mail he would not be surprised if Travis Turner was caught through an undercover operation.“I wouldn’t be surprised if Turner took the bait of an undercover officer posing as a child,” Dr. del Carmen said.“It’s one of the easiest ways we catch bad guys that are doing this kind of thing.”He explained that police often work with task forces that enter chat rooms and social platforms to catch people who believe they are talking to minors. Veteran detective Brian Kohlhepp, who has spent more than 20 years working child abuse and sex assault cases, agreed.“It’s a common thing law enforcement does to go into chat rooms in an undercover capacity,” Kohlhepp said.“They try to catch individuals who are having sexual conversations with who they believe to be minors.”Another possible trigger could have come from technology companies. Experts say platforms like Facebook, Meta, and Instagram use automated systems to flag child sexual abuse material and report it to police. Sociologist David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children and Family Research Lab at the University of New Hampshire, told the Daily Mail:“Somebody who is downloading child porn and working with children is at greater risk to abuse real children.”“It could be that a tech company identified an image and reported it to the police.”Experts also say tips can come from parents, school staff, IT workers, spouses, or repair workers who find illegal content on devices.Virginia law makes it illegal for adults to contact minors online for sexual reasons or possess child abuse material. Experts believe police already secured Turner’s devices.“If they are charging him, it means they have evidence,” Dr. del Carmen said.“That means they have the pictures, videos, and electronic equipment.”Kohlhepp added that bringing in the FBI and US Marshals acts as a “force multiplier.” He believes Turner may already be dead, but if alive, survival in harsh weather would make capture more likely.Also Read: Leaked Email Claims Missing Football Coach Travis Turner Case Was Hidden And Sparks Big Questions In Wise County Schools
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