Man Who Heckled Winsome Sears With Racist “Go Back to Haiti” Taunt Is Fired; Police Say No Criminal Probe
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears was the target of a racist taunt at a James Madison University football game on October 19, when a spectator told her to “go back to Haiti,” a moment that went viral online.
- Viral heckling: Video of the episode spread widely on social media, prompting national attention and outrage, with coverage from multiple outlets including Inews and Fox News.
- Identification and consequence: The heckler was publicly identified as Scott Pogorelc, and Lockheed Martin confirmed his termination for violating company ethics and values, reported by Inews.
- No criminal charges: Fairfax County Police reviewed complaints and determined the exchange did not meet the legal threshold for criminal harassment.
Who was heckled and what happened
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, was attending a James Madison University football game on October 19 when a spectator in the stands directed a racial taunt at her, telling her to “go back to Haiti” and calling her a “traitor.” The exchange was recorded and circulated online, drawing swift national attention. Coverage of the video appeared in outlets including Inews and Fox News.
Earle-Sears — born in Jamaica and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran — responded calmly, corrected the factual inaccuracy of the taunt by asserting her American citizenship and service as a Marine, and said she would not be deterred by racist language. She also noted that she has been targeted previously in other incidents.
Identification of the heckler: Scott Pogorelc
Online communities and local reporting identified the man in the video as Scott Pogorelc. Reports described him as a senior engineer at Zeta Associates — a company reported as a Lockheed Martin subsidiary or affiliate — and the father of a JMU football player. The identification, which circulated alongside the video, prompted public calls for accountability and further reporting by outlets such as Inews.
Corporate action: Scott Pogorelc fired; Lockheed Martin termination confirmed
Within days of the video spreading, Lockheed Martin confirmed it had dismissed the employee after an internal review, saying the conduct violated the company’s code of ethics and core values. Company officials framed the move as consistent with corporate standards that address off-duty conduct which harms reputation.
Coverage phrases: Reporting frequently used terms such as “Scott Pogorelc fired” and “Lockheed Martin termination” to describe the personnel action. Lockheed Martin did not disclose all internal personnel details publicly, consistent with typical corporate practice.
Law enforcement response: no criminal probe
The Fairfax County Police Department reviewed complaints tied to the incident and concluded the remarks, while offensive, did not meet the legal threshold for criminal harassment. Officials characterized the comments as abhorrent but not prosecutable under their standards.
Legal context: Experts say such determinations often hinge on whether speech constitutes a credible threat, repeated targeting, or conduct that would cause reasonable fear. Single abusive comments without threats or stalking frequently fall short of criminal harassment standards, even if they carry social and professional consequences.
Political and public reaction
The episode drew widespread condemnation across political lines. Local and state leaders publicly rebuked the heckling and tied it to broader concerns about civility and the safety of public officials. The incident followed other reported attacks on Earle-Sears, including racist signs and displays, which amplified attention and concern; reporting on related incidents appeared in outlets such as Fox News.
Supporters praised Earle-Sears’ composure and called for stronger norms against racial invective. Civil rights advocates framed the attack as symptomatic of broader racialized rhetoric in public life, while other commentators raised questions about due process and how employers should weigh off-duty conduct when taking action.
Context on speech, workplace standards and public life
The incident underscores a growing tension between free expression and employer codes of conduct. Private companies, particularly those with national or global profiles like Lockheed Martin, can discipline employees for off-duty behavior that violates internal rules or harms reputation. State legal protections vary and do not uniformly shield employees from consequences for off-duty conduct.
Why this matters: The phrase “Scott Pogorelc fired” became a focal point because it illustrated how social and professional consequences can follow even when criminal charges are not filed.
Implications for the United States
Economic impact
- Employer accountability: The termination signals that major employers may act when off-duty behavior risks reputational damage.
- Labor considerations: Employees may face greater scrutiny for public conduct, and companies may revise policies and training accordingly.
Political consequences
- Campaign dynamics: The national attention could influence fundraising, endorsements, and voter mobilization around Earle-Sears.
- Rhetoric and norms: Bipartisan condemnation suggests potential appetite for pushing back against explicit racial attacks in public life.
Social effects
- Public civility: The viral clip sparked debate about safety and civility at public events.
- Online activism: Social media amplified the incident and accelerated accountability pressures on institutions.
Cultural relevance
The taunt — which misidentified Earle-Sears’ nationality by telling her to “go back to Haiti” despite her Jamaican birth — highlights persistent ignorance and racialized assumptions in public discourse. As the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, Earle-Sears’ experiences illuminate how representation can attract both progress and targeted hostility.
Practical applications for residents
- Event safety and reporting: Organizers and attendees should know how to report abusive conduct to event staff or security and review policies for addressing harassment.
- Employer policies: Workers should be aware that off-duty conduct can carry professional consequences; employers may update codes and training to address reputation risks tied to social media and public actions.
Reporting standards and ongoing scrutiny
News organizations and officials will likely continue to monitor developments, including any public statements by Scott Pogorelc, further commentary from Lockheed Martin, and reactions from political leaders. The event remains a case study in how private action, social media, and public life intersect when a moment of racist heckling becomes a national story.
Sources cited
- Inews article reporting identification and company response
- Fox News coverage of Winsome Earle-Sears’ response
- Fox News on other racist signs targeting Earle-Sears
- Video of the incident and public reaction (YouTube)
- Times Media Service reporting referenced in local and regional coverage.
