Viral video of man shouting “Go back to Haiti!” at Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears leads to firing; police say harassment claims don’t merit criminal probe
A Virginia man was fired after a viral video showed him shouting “Go back to Haiti!” at Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears at a James Madison University game, prompting condemnation, an employer investigation and police declining criminal charges.
- Viral incident: Scott Pogorelc, a Centreville resident, was filmed yelling racially charged taunts at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears at a JMU football game; the clip circulated widely online.
- Employment consequence: Zeta Associates, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, terminated Pogorelc after an internal review citing ethics and core-values breaches.
- Police review: Pogorelc’s harassment report prompted a Fairfax County Police threat assessment but officials said the information did not meet the threshold for a criminal probe.
- Public response: Sears — a Jamaican-born U.S. Marine Corps veteran — corrected the factual claim about her heritage, condemned the attack and received cross-spectrum denunciation.
The incident and the video
What happened: During a Saturday afternoon James Madison University football game on Oct. 19, 2025, a spectator recorded Scott Pogorelc leaning over and shouting at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. The cellphone clip shows Pogorelc yelling “Go back to Haiti!” and calling Sears a “traitor.” The video spread rapidly on social media and was republished by national outlets.
Primary reporting and video reposts: Coverage and the video were documented by outlets including Hudson Valley Beacon and a Fox News clip (see Fox News video).
Sears’ response and public reaction
Calm rebuttal: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears publicly corrected the mistaken assertion about her background, stating she is Jamaican and asserting her American identity:
“I have nowhere to go back to because America is my home. Every day I thank God I get to call this country home.”
The clip prompted condemnation across the political spectrum. Commentators, civil-rights advocates and political leaders highlighted Sears’ status as the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia and a Marine Corps veteran while labeling the heckling unacceptable.
Employer investigation and firing
Corporate action: Within days of the video’s circulation, Zeta Associates — a subsidiary of defense contractor Lockheed Martin where Pogorelc worked — announced he was no longer employed after an internal investigation found violations of company ethics and core values. Lockheed Martin confirmed the termination, emphasizing expectations for conduct by employees and contractors.
Reporting on the employment outcome and company statements is available via Hudson Valley Beacon.
Police involvement and decision
Law-enforcement review: After the incident received national attention, Pogorelc filed a police report alleging harassment tied to his viral notoriety. The Fairfax County Police Department conducted an inquiry and threat assessment but concluded the information provided did not meet the threshold to open a criminal investigation or press charges.
Broader pattern of attacks against Sears
This episode fits into a string of racially charged confrontations targeting Sears while she campaigns. In a separate incident at an Arlington County school board meeting, a counter-protester displayed a sign likening Black people to segregated water fountains — a reference to Jim Crow — which drew bipartisan condemnation. Virginia leaders, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin, called such attacks repulsive and unacceptable in public life.
Online sleuthing, political donations and public reaction
Aftermath online: Internet investigators traced public records showing Pogorelc had made political donations to Democratic candidates, including Rep. Abigail Spanberger, complicating simple partisan explanations for the heckling. As of the latest reports he had not publicly apologized.
Source summaries and reaction coverage are documented by iNews Zoombangla and Fox News reporting (see Fox News).
Media coverage and public debate
National outlets covered the Virginia incident, prompting debates over the balance between free speech and employer consequences for off-duty conduct revealed by viral videos. Some advocates argue public exposure of offensive conduct promotes accountability; others warn about long-term reputational effects of social-media-driven employment consequences.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Economic: The controversy illustrates how off-duty conduct captured on video can produce rapid financial consequences. Inland Empire employers — particularly those tied to defense contracting, manufacturing or government work — may review policies on employee conduct, social media and ethics to protect contracts and reputation.
Political and civic effects: The story may spur local leaders in the Inland Empire to emphasize civility, public conduct and community dialogue ahead of elections, especially in a diverse region with many immigrant and veteran communities.
Social and community impact: Community organizations, faith leaders and schools in the Inland Empire might use the episode to organize workshops on racial bias, bystander intervention and spectator codes of conduct at public events.
Practical guidance: Local employers and event organizers should review security, spectator rules and employee social-media guidance. Residents should understand that recording and sharing offensive behavior can trigger investigations and employment consequences, and police agencies use specific thresholds when assessing harassment or threats.
Reporting and sourcing
This article is based on reporting from Times Media Service and related local coverage, with primary source reporting and timelines drawn from:
This report follows available public records and media reporting. Additional developments, statements or official records may provide further details as investigations and public discussions continue.
