A mother and son convicted of robbing and murdering a Naperville man in 2018 have been sentenced to what are essentially life terms in prison for their crimes.
Ernest Collins, 28, formerly of Rockford, and his mother Candice Jones, 44, formerly of Chicago, appeared in Court yesterday afternoon in front of Judge Michael Reidy who sentenced Collins to seventy years on the murder charge and twenty-eight years on the armed robbery charge, and Jones to forty years on the murder charge and twenty-one years on the armed robbery charge.
On January 18, 2018, Naperville police officers responded to a call on Whispering Hills Drive regarding a missing Naperville resident, Michael Armendariz, who was last seen at approximately 9:30pm, January 14, 2018. Following an investigation, authorities learned that Collins, Jones and Green had devised a scheme to rob Armendariz with a gun. The investigation found that Armendariz received a Snapchat message from Green at approximately 9:11pm on January 14, 2018. Shortly after receiving the message, Armendariz left his apartment and got into a black, 1999 Ford Explorer driven by Green, that was in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Green then drove out of the parking lot with Armendariz in the vehicle.
Approximately five minutes later, Collins emerged from hiding in the back of the Explorer and shot Armendariz twice in the back of the head. The duo then traveled to Jones’ residence in Chicago and, with Jones’ help, placed Armendariz’s body in a garbage can and then put the garbage can in Jones’ garage. At some point in time, the garbage can was moved to the garage of the vacant house next to Jones’ home. The following day, Collins and Green took Armendariz’s apartment keys and burglarized his apartment. Armendariz’s body was discovered several months later and an investigation was undertaken by the Chicago and Naperville Police Departments.
The investigation ultimately led to the apprehension of all three defendants. Jones was taken into custody on February 6, 2019, in Chicago while Collins and Green were taken into custody on February 4, 2019, in Rockford.
On September 29, 2023, following a four-day trial, a jury found Collins guilty of First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery with a Firearm. On October 27, 2023, following a four-day trial, a different jury found Jones guilty of First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery. On August 19, 2022, a third individual involved in the murder, Cassandra Green, 27, formerly of Rockford, entered an agreed plea of guilty to one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm in exchange for her cooperation. On November 13, 2023, Green was sentenced to twenty-one years in the IDOC to be served at 85%.
“Working together, Ernest Collins, Candice Jones and Cassandra Green devised an evil, heartless plot to rob and kill Michael Armendariz,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said. “Once this scheme was put into motion, Michael never stood a chance, as he was ambushed and shot twice in the back of his head in a cold-blooded execution. While Mr. Collins and Ms. Jones will more than likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars, Michael is never coming back.
“”Guilty verdicts and long prison sentences cannot fill the emptiness Michael’s family and friends have already endured and will continue to suffer for the rest of their lives. Perhaps knowing that those responsible for Michael’s murder will be held accountable will offer some measure of justice in Michael’s name. Their tragic loss has undoubtedly impacted their lives and perhaps when they find themselves in difficult times, they will be able to draw upon happy memories of Michael for the strength they need to continue without the love and support he once provided”.
The sentences for both Collins and Jones will be served concurrently. Both defendants will be required to serve 100% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.
