IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CrimeNov 27, 2019
CA Jeweler Pleads Guilty to Aiding Illegal Firearms Ring
Leo Hamel admitted to engaging in “straw purchases” of off-record firearms and creating a fake paper trail to make them look legitimate.
San Diego—The owner of a well-known San Diego jewelry store has pleaded guilty for his role in a firearm trafficking ring, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, 62-year-old Leo Hamel, of Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, entered a guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal on Friday.
In the plea, he admitted to aiding a firearms trafficking ring run by former San Diego County Sheriff’s Captain Marco Garmo by engaging in “straw purchases”—when one person buys something on behalf of someone else who is legally unable to make the purchase themselves—of firearms, creating fake records to conceal the purchases and offering to promote Garmo’s weapons.
According to a federal grand jury indictment, Garmo was a sheriff’s deputy for more than two decades.
The indictment alleges he engaged in the unlawful purchase, transfer and sale of firearms during his tenure as captain of the Rancho San Diego Station.
Most of his firearms transactions involved the purchase and resale of “off roster” handguns, which can be purchased by law enforcement but not the general public.
Though law enforcement isn’t expressly prohibited from selling off-roster handguns, the DOJ said Garmo received a warning from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that “excessive resales for profit” could violate federal law.
Garmo acquired roughly 146 firearms between March 2013 and February 2019, California’s firearms record database shows, and he sold or transferred 104 of them to others.
As part of his guilty plea, Hamel admitted to purchasing several off-roster handguns from Garmo—with the “straw purchases,” Garmo would falsely certify he was acquiring an off-roster gun for himself when he really was purchasing them for Hamel.
Hamel also admitted he acquired several firearms from Garmo without proper documentation through fake long-term firearm “loans” in exchange for money and created a fake paper trail to make it appear the sales were legitimate.
As part of his guilty plea, Hamel agreed to forfeit more than 200 firearms and 100,000 rounds of ammunition seized from him in February during the FBI’s raid on his store.
Hamel started his business in 1980.
In addition to the retail store in San Diego, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers—still open as of press time—also has buying offices in San Diego, La Mesa, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo and Solana Beach, California.
The DOJ said he is
scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 21.
In the meantime, he is out on $250,000 bond secured by a lien on a piece of property.
In the meantime, he is out on $250,000 bond secured by a lien on a piece of property.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
