ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
CrimeJan 03, 2017
Female Armed Robber Cops to More Crimes
Abigail Lee Kemp has pleaded guilty to robbing jewelry stores in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Security camera footage shows Abigail Lee Kemp committing robberies at two different jewelry stores. The 25-year-old Atlanta-area native has pleaded guilty to jewelry store robberies in three more states.
Panama City, Fla.--The lone female armed robber who victimized employees at multiple jewelry stores in 2015 and early 2016 has pleaded guilty to more charges.
Court papers show that in Florida federal court on Dec. 28, Abagail Lee Kemp entered a guilty plea to interference with commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery) for jewelry store robberies in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; and Mebane, North Carolina.
She also consented to have jurisdiction for those cases transferred to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
She faces up to 20 years behind bars for each count, a $250,000 fine for each and could be ordered to pay restitution for the stolen jewelry that was not recovered.
Kemp is being prosecuted in federal court and will be sentenced to serve her time in the federal prison system, which does not grant parole.
In July, the 25-year-old Kemp pleaded guilty in the same Florida federal court to conspiracy, robbery and weapons charges related to the August 2015 robbery of a jewelry store in Panama City, Fla.
Later that same month, the 25-year-old testified at trial against the three men who are said to have acted as lookouts and otherwise assisted her in the robberies.
Court papers show that in Florida federal court on Dec. 28, Abagail Lee Kemp entered a guilty plea to interference with commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery) for jewelry store robberies in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; and Mebane, North Carolina.
She also consented to have jurisdiction for those cases transferred to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
She faces up to 20 years behind bars for each count, a $250,000 fine for each and could be ordered to pay restitution for the stolen jewelry that was not recovered.
Kemp is being prosecuted in federal court and will be sentenced to serve her time in the federal prison system, which does not grant parole.
In July, the 25-year-old Kemp pleaded guilty in the same Florida federal court to conspiracy, robbery and weapons charges related to the August 2015 robbery of a jewelry store in Panama City, Fla.
Later that same month, the 25-year-old testified at trial against the three men who are said to have acted as lookouts and otherwise assisted her in the robberies.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
A jury found those men--36-year-old Lewis Jones III, with whom Kemp allegedly had a relationship, and brothers Larry Bernard Gilmore, 44, and Michael Bernard Gilmore, 47--guilty of conspiracy to commit robberies along with weapons charges.
The three reportedly trained Kemp, who grew up in the Atlanta suburbs, for the robberies at the Atlanta window tinting business that the Gilmore brothers owned, giving her pointers on handling a gun, tying people up and the best jewelry to steal.
Kemp has pleaded guilty to a total of five counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two charges of use of a firearm during a crime and one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Her sentencing is set for Jan. 13, court papers show.
The tale of the lone female armed robber first began circulating in September 2015, grabbing headlines in both the trade and consumer press because of the unusual nature of the crime.
It is not often, Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy said at the time, to see a lone individual go into a jewelry store and commit an armed robbery, and never before had he seen a woman do it by herself.
Kemp and her accomplices initially were linked to a total of six armed robberies, the last of which took place in January 2016 at a jewelry store in Mebane, North Carolina.
She was arrested a short time later at her apartment in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna.
The Latest
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
