SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
Events & AwardsJul 27, 2016
Female Robber’s Accomplices Found Guilty
A federal jury in Florida returned the verdict against the three men who allegedly trained armed jewelry store robber Abigail Lee Kemp.
Panama City, Fla.--A federal jury in Florida returned a guilty verdict against the three men who allegedly trained and assisted the infamous female armed jewelry store robber, Abigail Lee Kemp.
Documents filed in federal court in Florida confirm that Lewis Jones III, along with brothers Larry Bernard and Michael Bernard Gilmore, were found guilty Monday of conspiracy to commit robberies affecting commerce along with multiple weapons charges.
The 25-year-old Kemp made headlines earlier this year because of the “extremely unusual” nature of the case--she would go into the stores alone and armed, and tie up the employees herself before stealing jewelry from the showcases and fleeing. This is unusual because jewelry store armed robberies are rarely carried out alone and almost never involve women, never mind women by themselves.
John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, said when the case first made headlines that Kemp is the only lone female robber he can remember.
Kemp and Jones were arrested together in Smyrna, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, on Jan. 8. Police picked up the Gilmore brothers in mid-February.
Earlier this month, the 25-year-old Kemp entered a guilty plea in federal court and then testified against her accomplices at their trial.
According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, Kemp told the jury that Jones and the Gilmore brothers, who owned a window tinting shop in Atlanta, recruited her for the robberies and then trained her, teaching her how to hold a gun and what jewels to grab.
Defense attorneys argued, however, that jurors shouldn’t listen to Kemp, painting her as a scorned ex-lover of Jones, a drug user and someone who was lying in exchange for a lighter sentence, NWFDailyNews.com reported.
In the end, the jury found Jones and the Gilmores guilty in connection with a total of six jewelry store robberies, in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Ga.; Sevierville, Tenn.; Panama City, Fla.; Mebane, N.C. and the South Carolina town of Bluffton.
Their sentencing is set for Oct. 12 while Kemp’s is scheduled to take place Oct. 10.
Jonathan Dingus, the Panama City-based attorney who represented Larry Gilmore, said his client is facing as much as 53 years behind bars, which essentially is a life sentence for the 43 year old.
He said if he does file any appeals in the case, it won’t happen until after sentencing.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
