A federal jury in Bridgeport, CT found SHS graduate Andrew Zayac guilty of murder, kidnapping, possession and a host of other charges in Bridgeport, CT on Friday, July 22nd. Evidence presented at the trial showed that in early 2009, Zayac negotiated the purchase of 68 pounds of marijuana from drug dealer Edward Rivera and arranged to meet Rivera on February 8, 2009, to complete the transaction. Prosecutors contend that Zayac kidnapped Rivera from the Bronx for the purpose of robbing him of the marijuana which was valued at $150,000.  During the course of the kidnapping and robbery, Rivera was shot twice and died as a result of the gunshot wounds. Zayac and his associate, Heriberto Gonzalez, 31, also of the Bronx, then dumped Rivera’s body in Danbury, Connecticut, drove back to the Bronx and burned Zayac’s car. The trial began on July 14 and the jury returned the verdict on July 22nd.

U.S. District Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David B. Fein credited the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Danbury Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service for excellent work in providing “justice for the victim’s family and loved ones.”

Sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2011, however Zayac faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction. In a separate trial, Gonzalez was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, three counts of destruction/concealment of evidence, and one count of conspiracy to destroy/conceal evidence. He awaits sentencing.

Andrew Zayac was a star soccer player at Scarsdale High School, and graduated from SHS in 1998. In 2000, Westchester County police arrested him and two others for allegedly possessing more than 1,000 ecstasy pills. Zayac is the son of Linda Zayac, a treasured member of the staff of the Greenacres School, and Bob Zayac, who taught physical education and coached soccer at Scarsdale High School for 35 years, and now runs the Soccer Camp for the Village of Scarsdale.