After 6 years, Rockford man pleads guilty to 2019 Great Oaks apartment murder

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Javari Conley, 30, has pleaded guilty to killing 19-year-old Jaimie Gonzales at the Great Oaks Apartments in 2019.

On March 8th, 2019, investigators say Conley shot and killed Gonzales at the apartment complex, located at 4801 Linden Road.

Gonzalez was found in the parking lot, suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics brought him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:25 p.m.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Detectives say they identified Conley as the suspect in a two-month investigation into the incident.

Conley was charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.

Conley was already held in the Winnebago County Jail for allegedly carjacking a man in the parking lot of Peak Fitness, at 4304 East State Street, in April, and then leading police in pursuit.

In the intervening years, Conley refused to appear at various court hearings, and the case was set to be decided by a bench trial. However, a judge ordered that he be re-evaluated for mental fitness.

On September 29th, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charge of murder.

Conley is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30th, 2025.