Mother-Son Pair Sentenced In 2018 Murder Of Naperville Man

NAPERVILLE, IL — A 44-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son were sentenced for the 2018 murder and robbery of Naperville resident Michael Armendariz.

Candice Jones was sentenced to 40 years for her first degree murder charge and 21 years for the armed robbery charge. Ernest Collins was sentenced to 70 years for first degree murder and 28 years for armed robbery.

Armendariz was last seen on Jan. 14, 2018, after police say he left his apartment complex in a car with Cassandra Green, 21. Police say Collins was hiding in the back of the SUV and shot Armendariz in the back of the head twice.

Green and Collins then drove to the home of Green's mother, who was identified as Jones. At Jones' Chicago home, the trio reportedly put Armendariz's body into a trash can that was kept in Jones' garage and then later moved to an abandoned home next door.

Police say Collins and Green burglarized Armendariz's apartment the following day.Armendariz's body was found by police in June 2018 in Chicago's Marquette Park.

After an ongoing investigation, police arrested Collins and Green on Feb. 4. They took Jones into custody on Feb. 6.

“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 Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “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."

In November 2023, Green was sentenced to 21 years in prison. She must serve 85 percent of her sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Jones and Collins must serve 100 percent of their sentences before they become eligible for parole.

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• Naperville Man Missing More Than A Week
• Missing Naperville Man's Body Found In Dumpster In Chicago