Viral heckler in Winsome Earle-Sears incident identified as Scott Pogorelc; fired by employer, police decline probe
Scott Pogorelc, a Centreville resident, was identified after a viral October 19, 2025 JMU football incident in which he racially heckled Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears; he was quickly fired by a Lockheed Martin unit and police declined to pursue a criminal probe.
- Heckler identified: Centreville resident Scott Pogorelc was named after the viral clip showing a racial taunt directed at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears.
- Employment action: Lockheed Martin said Pogorelc was terminated from Zeta Associates for conduct inconsistent with company ethics and values.
- Police review: Fairfax County police reviewed Pogorelc’s harassment complaint but determined it did not warrant a criminal investigation.
- Broader context: The episode added to multiple racist incidents targeting Earle‑Sears and prompted bipartisan rebukes and public pushback.
The viral moment: what happened at the JMU game
Video from the October 19, 2025 James Madison University football game captured a spectator shouting at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears. The heckler’s words — including the taunt “Go back to Haiti!” and calling her a “traitor” — were recorded on a cellphone and reposted widely, turning a local outburst into a national story. The original report on the incident is available via a Times Media Service dispatch; see the Times Media Service report.
“Go back to Haiti!” — shouted at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears during the game, captured on cellphone video and widely shared online.
Employer response and the reported firing
Within days the man in the clip was identified as Scott Pogorelc, described in reporting as a senior engineer with Zeta Associates, a unit tied to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin confirmed Pogorelc was terminated for violating the company’s code of ethics and core values. For the original coverage identifying Pogorelc and reporting the employer action, see the Times Media Service report.
Private-sector consequences: The firing illustrates a common pattern in the social-media era: employers weighing reputational harm and workplace standards when employees’ off‑duty actions become public. There is no public record of a formal apology from Pogorelc in the days after the termination.
Police review and harassment claim
After he was fired and faced online backlash, Pogorelc filed a complaint alleging harassment. The Fairfax County Police Department reviewed the claim and announced it did not meet the threshold for a criminal harassment investigation. Fox8TV summarized the department’s statement; read more via the Fox8TV report.
Legal distinction: Law enforcement must determine whether unwanted messages or online backlash constitute criminal threats, stalking, or harassment. In this case, police concluded the available allegations did not satisfy those elements.
Broader political and social context
The JMU incident came amid other attacks on Earle‑Sears during her campaign cycle, including a protester displaying Jim Crow–era imagery earlier the same week. Virginia leaders from both parties publicly rebuked such displays. See related coverage at Fox News.
Earle‑Sears’ response: She corrected the taunt’s factual error (she is from Jamaica, not Haiti) and stressed that such attacks will not deter her, highlighting pride in her service as a U.S. Marine and her role as the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia. See her public remarks in the Fox News response.
Accountability, free speech and private‑sector consequences
The case highlights tensions between free speech and private‑sector accountability. Employers — especially those associated with defense contracting — face strong incentives to act when employee behavior conflicts with corporate values or risks reputational damage. Civil‑liberties advocates caution against immediate punitive responses driven by social‑media outrage, calling for consistent processes in workplace discipline.
Policy questions: Do firms need clearer policies about off‑duty conduct? How should employers balance workers’ rights with public expectations and corporate reputation? The incident has prompted discussion among policymakers, employers, and civil‑liberties groups.
Reactions and statements
Public statements condemned the heckling across the political spectrum. Earle‑Sears publicly corrected the mistaken national‑origin slur and affirmed her identity and service. Virginia leaders also rebuked the separate Jim Crow–era sign incident that week, demonstrating bipartisan condemnation of overtly racist attacks.
Implications for Hesperia, California
Local officials and community leaders in Hesperia can draw several practical takeaways from the episode:
- Event standards: Reinforce codes of conduct at high‑school and community sporting events and ensure clear protocols for removing disruptive spectators.
- Employer policies: Local employers — including those in defense and manufacturing — may review handbooks and training on off‑duty conduct and social‑media use.
- Community outreach: Veteran and immigrant organizations might host events affirming respect for service and diverse backgrounds.
- Campaign guidance: Political campaigns should prepare guidance for volunteers and supporters on conduct to avoid incidents that distract from messaging.
- Legal expectations: Residents should understand police apply legal standards to harassment claims; civil remedies and workplace procedures often address reputational disputes.
Practical advice: if abusive behavior occurs at events, alert event security or law enforcement rather than engaging directly. Employers and groups can offer brief trainings on de‑escalation and reporting protocols.
Sources
This article preserves original reporting and source links:
- Times Media Service report — coverage identifying the heckler and describing the JMU incident.
- Fox8TV — reporting on Pogorelc’s harassment complaint and Fairfax County Police review.
- Fox News — Earle‑Sears response.
- Fox News — Virginia leaders rebuke other racist sign incident.
Reported by Times Media Service; links above preserve the original reporting and source material.
