Viral heckler’s racist taunt at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears leads to firing of man identified as Scott Pogorelc; Fairfax police say no criminal probe
At a James Madison University football game on Oct. 19, 2025, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears was targeted by a fan who shouted “Go back to Haiti!”; the man, identified as Scott Pogorelc, was fired amid public outrage.
Key takeaways
- Heckling captured on video: A cellphone clip from the Oct. 19 JMU game showing a fan shouting a racial taunt at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears went viral and sparked national outrage; the video circulated widely online and in news coverage (cellphone video).
- Individual identified: The man in the clip was publicly identified as Scott Pogorelc, a former senior engineer at Zeta Associates, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, and said to have been attending to watch his son play.
- Employer action: Zeta Associates terminated Pogorelc, citing violations of company ethics and values after the clip circulated.
- Law enforcement review: Fairfax County police reviewed complaints but concluded the conduct did not meet the legal threshold for a criminal investigation under state law as applied by investigators.
Main details
What the video shows and how the episode unfolded
Cellphone footage recorded during the Oct. 19 JMU football game shows a spectator heckling Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears, calling her a “traitor” and shouting “Go back to Haiti!”. The clip spread rapidly on social media, prompting widespread condemnation and fast identification of the man as Scott Pogorelc by online researchers and local outlets.
Those who identified Pogorelc reported he was at the game to watch his son play. The rapid circulation of the clip led to scrutiny of his employment and public record.
Earle‑Sears’ response and political context
Winsome Earle‑Sears, a Jamaican‑born Marine veteran and the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia, publicly corrected the mistaken reference to Haiti and framed the moment as one of resilience.
“America is my home.”
She vowed hateful words would not derail her public service or campaign efforts, and political leaders from both parties denounced the taunt as unacceptable.
Her campaign and supporters placed the incident within a larger pattern of hostile acts she has faced while campaigning, pointing to earlier examples such as racially charged signs at events. Coverage of her on‑camera response is available via Fox News.
Employer action: Scott Pogorelc fired
Zeta Associates, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, announced Pogorelc’s termination after the video spread. Company statements said employees are expected to uphold standards rejecting racist behavior and harassment, and that Pogorelc’s actions violated those standards, prompting immediate dismissal.
Law enforcement review and legal threshold
The Fairfax County Police Department reviewed complaints related to the incident but determined the conduct did not meet the threshold to open a criminal investigation. Police noted the language was offensive and widely condemned but, as interpreted by investigators, did not reach the level of prosecutable harassment under state law.
Broader patterns and public debate
Observers have linked this episode to a string of hostile acts directed at Earle‑Sears, raising wider debates about how minority and female politicians are treated in public life and whether political disagreement increasingly crosses into racial hostility. Online researchers also reported discovering political donation records tied to Pogorelc indicating past contributions to Democratic campaigns, adding complexity to public discussion.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic and corporate responsibility: Los Angeles, home to numerous defense and aerospace suppliers, may see local contractors review codes of conduct and social media policies after the rapid firing of an employee of a Lockheed Martin subsidiary highlighted reputational risk.
Political and civic discourse: The episode underscores expectations for civility at public events in diverse cities like Los Angeles and could prompt city leaders, school officials and event organizers to revisit protocols for handling harassment.
Safety at public events: Large gatherings can become flashpoints. Venues in L.A. may review staffing, bystander reporting tools and public‑safety messaging to manage incidents that can spread quickly online.
Social cohesion and minority representation: The taunt directed at Earle‑Sears contributes to a national conversation about treatment of immigrant‑background and minority leaders; civic education and community engagement are cited as possible mitigations.
Legal and policy considerations: Fairfax County’s decision not to open a criminal probe spotlights debates over the boundary between free speech and prosecutable harassment; Los Angeles policymakers and advocates may use the episode to assess local ordinances, venue policies and civil remedies.
Community response and expectations: The incident may spur LA community groups and organizations to host forums on respectful disagreement, offer training for event staff and volunteers, and promote nonpartisan messaging condemning racism while protecting lawful speech.
Coverage and source notes
This report draws on multiple contemporary accounts. The initial Times Media Service summary is available via the Times Media Service summary. Fox News coverage includes reporting on Earle‑Sears’ response (Earle‑Sears on‑camera response) and broader political reaction (Virginia leaders rebuke).
Video of the incident that circulated online was posted by outlets and users; examples include a Fox News clip (news video) and a user‑posted clip on YouTube.
Reporting notes
Reporting for Times Media Service contributed to this article. All original facts, attributions and source links are preserved above for verification and follow‑up.
