On the morning of December 21, 2023, Irving Police arrested 20-year-old Kevin Adonay Zavala-Cruz of Irving on charges of drug dealing. Zavala-Cruz, a 2022 graduate of MacArthur High School, faces a 1st degree felony charge for manufacture/delivery of drugs and a possession of marijuana charge.
His bond has been set at $10,500.
Zavala-Cruz gained attention in 2015 when he was featured in Irving Weekly as a fifth-grade prodigy excelling in math. His teacher at the time praised his abilities, noting that he had mastered fifth-grade level work and was skipping ahead to sixth-grade level coursework.
Despite the early academic success, fast-forwarding seven years finds Zavala-Cruz entangled in legal troubles and facing potential jail time for drug-related offenses. In 2022, the Irving Independent School District (ISD) published an article celebrating Zavala-Cruz's achievements, titled "Defying the Odds." The story aimed to inspire other youths, showcasing his journey from a gifted fifth-grader to a high school graduate.
The recent turn of events highlights the contrast between Zavala-Cruz's promising start and his current situation. He is young enough to turn his life around and that is our hope.
