CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
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.
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.
More on Crime
The Latest
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
