Man who went viral for heckling Winsome Earle-Sears fired after JMU football racist incident; police say no criminal probe
Scott Pogorelc was fired after a viral video showed him directing racist heckling — including “go back to Haiti” — at Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears during a James Madison University football game; Fairfax County Police said no criminal probe followed.
- What happened: A cellphone video captured Pogorelc shouting racial taunts at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears during an Oct. 19, 2025, JMU football game.
- Employment fallout: Zeta Associates, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, terminated Pogorelc, citing violations of company ethics and core values.
- Law enforcement: Pogorelc filed a harassment report; Fairfax County Police reviewed it but determined no criminal investigation was warranted.
- Public reaction: The clip went viral and drew condemnation across the political spectrum, fueling debate over civility at public events.
What happened at the JMU game
Cellphone video of the exchange shows a man later identified as Scott Pogorelc yelling at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears during a break in the James Madison University football game on October 19, 2025. According to reports, Pogorelc — who was at the stadium with family for his son — was recorded shouting “go back to Haiti” and calling Earle‑Sears a “traitor.” The words were captured on camera and quickly circulated on social media, where the clip went viral (sources: iNews report; Fox News).
Earle‑Sears’ response
Winsome Earle‑Sears responded publicly with a calm correction and assertion of belonging: she clarified that she is Jamaican, not Haitian, and reaffirmed her place in America. Observers noted her measured tone and refusal to escalate the confrontation drew praise from some quarters (iNews report; Fox News).
Viral spread and public reaction
The clip was shared widely across platforms and picked up by local and national outlets. Political leaders and public figures from both parties condemned the language, framing it as part of a broader problem of crude and racist rhetoric at public events. The episode sparked discussion about civility at sporting events and the risks public officials face when attending community functions (iNews; Fox News).
Employment fallout: Pogorelc fired
Zeta Associates, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, terminated Pogorelc within days of the video’s circulation. Company statements cited violations of its code of ethics and core values, emphasizing expectations of respectful conduct even off duty. The termination was widely reported as a direct professional consequence of the viral video (iNews; FOX8TV).
Police report and investigation
After the clip circulated, Pogorelc filed a police report alleging he had been harassed. The Fairfax County Police Department reviewed the complaint and concluded it did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation, effectively closing the matter from a law enforcement perspective. Officials stressed the distinction between offensive speech and prosecutable criminal conduct (FOX8TV).
Political context and pattern of abuse against Earle‑Sears
The JMU episode is one of several incidents in which Lt. Gov. Earle‑Sears has faced hostile or racially charged messages, including offensive signage invoking Jim Crow imagery during campaign events. As the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, she has said she will not be intimidated by anonymous vitriol or public insults (Fox News).
Pogorelc’s public silence
Reports indicate Pogorelc has not issued a public apology or explanation addressing the viral clip or his termination. His lack of comment leaves questions about intent, remorse, and whether any private reconciliation efforts have occurred. Professionally and publicly, the firing and condemnation remain the most visible outcomes.
How employers and events are reacting nationally
The incident renewed scrutiny of off‑duty conduct and employer policies. Companies in defense and technology sectors, sensitive to reputational risk and security-clearance issues, often enforce codes of conduct that extend beyond the workplace. Colleges and athletic departments are also reassessing fan behavior policies, usher/security training and civility campaigns to better protect visitors and officials.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Local officials, employers and community groups in San Luis Obispo may draw practical lessons from this episode:
- Employer standards: Review codes of conduct and social‑media/off‑duty behavior policies to clarify expectations and protect workplace culture.
- Campus and event safety: Cal Poly and local event organizers could strengthen fan‑conduct messaging and training for ushers and security.
- Political and civic discourse: Civic groups might host forums on civil dialogue and the harms of racialized attacks in public life.
- Community relations: Nonprofits and faith groups can reaffirm inclusion and support immigrant communities affected by such taunts.
- Reputation risk: Small firms should prepare communication plans and training to mitigate local reputational harm from employees’ viral conduct.
Sources
Primary reporting and coverage referenced in this article:
- iNews report — https://inews.zoombangla.com/virginia-official-faces-racist-taunt-at-football-game-sparking-national-outrage/
- Fox News — Winsome Earle‑Sears response — https://www.foxnews.com/politics/winsome-sears-responds-jmu-fan-telling-her-go-back-haiti-after-weekend-leftist-invective
- FOX8TV coverage — https://www.fox8tv.com/man-who-went-viral-for-heckling-winsome-sears-with-racist-comment-dealt-another-blow-after-getting-fired/
Key facts: The incident occurred Oct. 19, 2025, at James Madison University; the individual identified is Scott Pogorelc of Centreville, Virginia; remarks included “go back to Haiti”; Zeta Associates fired him; Fairfax County Police declined a criminal probe.
