MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
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
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
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.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
