'Two brothers trained Abigail Lee Kemp before she carried out $4m heists'

May 2024 ยท 10 minute read

An aspiring model - dubbed the Diamond Diva - allegedly trained for months before stealing over $4million worth of jewels in a series of armed robberies.

Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, is accused of carrying out six raids on jewelers across five states - Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

But authorities say she did her homework before allegedly carrying out the crimes - learning how to handle a gun, zip tie a victim and even secret code words, AJC reports.

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Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, is accused of carrying out six armed robberies on jewelers in five states - Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee

Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, is accused of carrying out six armed robberies on jewelers in five states - Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee

In plain sight: Surveillance cameras capture Kemp in the alleged act of robbing six jewelry stores in five different states in the US Several CCTV cameras caught Abigail Kemp in the alleged act of grabbing jewels from the display cases

In plain sight: Surveillance cameras capture Kemp in the alleged act of robbing six jewelry stores in five different states in the US

The first took place on April 28, 2015, when she allegedly walked into Jared's Vault jewelry store at a Woodstock outlet mall, accompanied by a man authorities say was her boyfriend Lewis Jones III, 35, and pulled out a gun.

Employees were ordered into a bathroom where their hands were tied together and Kemp acted as a look out while Jones stole jewelry, officials say.

From then on, Kemp was trained how to carry out the robberies solo by Jones and two others, Michael and Larry Gilmore, 46 and 43 years old, respectively, an FBI affidavit seen by AJC.com states. 

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'They routinely practiced at Buckhead Window Tinting until they believed Kemp was ready to commit the robberies,' the affidavit said.

'Michael, Larry and Jones reviewed layouts of the target jewelry stores with Kemp; instructed her on the proper way to manipulate a handgun, how to secure the employees with zip ties, and what merchandise to steal from the store; and gave Kemp various code words to use when communicating during the jewelry store robberies,' it continued.

Zeroing in: FBI reveals friends, who recognized Kemp, called a FBI hotline while agents analyzed records from cell phone towers near the robberies

Zeroing in: FBI reveals friends, who recognized Kemp, called a FBI hotline while agents analyzed records from cell phone towers near the robberies

On camera: Jones was already wanted by the FBI for two violent bank robberies before he was arrested at the Georgia apartment with Kemp

On camera: Jones was already wanted by the FBI for two violent bank robberies before he was arrested at the Georgia apartment with Kemp

Alleged accomplice: Lewis Jones, 35, may have taken part in the jewel raids and is suspected of being the mastermind of the robberies. He and Kemp were dating

Alleged accomplice: Lewis Jones, 35, may have taken part in the jewel raids and is suspected of being the mastermind of the robberies. He and Kemp were dating

'Furthermore, they decided what clothes/disguises Kemp would wear during the robberies and then purchased the items for her.' 

Kemp and Jones' crime spree ended last month, on January 8, when the two were arrested by the FBI at a $1,000 a month apartment in Smyrna, which was only registered to Kemp. 

Lewis was already wanted by the FBI for two violent bank robberies.

Authorities say that Kemp kept in touch with the men during the robberies via an earpiece connected to her cellphone.

The multi-state crime spree began in April last year when police say Kemp raided jewelers in Woodstock, Georgia.

According to an FBI affidavit, she pretended to be an innocent bystander when her alleged accomplice entered the store.

She laid down on the floor along with staff after being threatened but later sprang to her feet.

While the man rifled through glass display cabinets snatching diamonds and other jewels Kemp acted as a lookout.

As with all the other alleged robberies Kemp made no attempt to conceal her face.

She allegedly struck twice in August - first at a jewelers in Dawsonville, Georgia and days later in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Wealthy upbringing: This is the former home of Kemp's father Stephen in Marietta, Georgia. Kemp grew up in a $1 million home set on two acres

Wealthy upbringing: This is the former home of Kemp's father Stephen in Marietta, Georgia. Kemp grew up in a $1 million home set on two acres

Mother's house: Connie, Kemp's mom, lives in this home in Smyrna, Georgia. Friends tell Daily Mail Online, 'Abby never paid attention to anyone and did what she liked'

Mother's house: Connie, Kemp's mom, lives in this home in Smyrna, Georgia. Friends tell Daily Mail Online, 'Abby never paid attention to anyone and did what she liked'

Kemp was again captured on CCTV cameras as she reached into a display case to grab jewels.

Police say the wannabe model used a handgun to force staff into a backroom where she used zip ties to bind their hands - then snagged the gems.

Jones would generally then pick up Kemp after the robbery, and take a trash bag of stolen jewelry, a gun and Kemp's clothes which he would leave with the Gilmores while she drove away, the FBI say.

She would then meet Jones a few days later to pick up her share of the stolen goods, the affidavit said.

In September, law enforcement reveals Kemp hit a store in Blufton, South Carolina and then one in Sevierville, Tennessee in October.

On December 30th, Kemp attempted to raid a store in her native Georgia but was foiled when a customer walked in, police say. The last raid was in Mebane, North Carolina on January 4.

Her alleged accomplice was spotted on CCTV cameras at three of the locations and FBI agents believe he was outside acting as a lookout during the raids.

The day after the raid in North Carolina the FBI issued photos taken during the robbery, which clearly showed Kemp's face.

Friends, who recognized her, called a FBI hotline while agents zeroed in on her by analyzing records from cell phone towers near the robberies.

FBI agents noticed that in many of the robberies the female suspect appeared to be talking to another person through a microphone attached to an ear piece.

Troublemaker teen: Documents show Abigail Lee Kemp was arrested seven times prior to being accused of a multi-state crime spree in which more than $4 million in jewelry was stolen

Troublemaker teen: Documents show Abigail Lee Kemp was arrested seven times prior to being accused of a multi-state crime spree in which more than $4 million in jewelry was stolen

Master of 'mugs': Kemp was picked up by police for offenses ranging from underage drinking, drug possession, DUI and battery

By analyzing what phones were in use at the time of the robbery they came up with a number that was registered to Kemp.

Court records filed by the FBI detail how investigators found a photo of a maroon Honda Civic on her social media accounts that matched the description of one seen in surveillance video.

The maroon colored car had been sprayed black but was registered to the Smyrna address of her mom.

Publicity from the release of photos from the North Carolina robbery also led several friends to tip off the FBI about her name.

An FBI spokesman tells Daily Mail Online within hours of the photos showing the suspect in a jogging suit they began receiving 'credible' calls.

'Some citizens further advised that during recent contacts with Kemp, she was wearing expensive jewelry that some of the callers believe she could not afford,' explains the court affidavit.

'Some citizens also advised that Kemp possesses a black handgun and recently had her car painted black.'

The affidavit states Kemp stole $900,000 in jewelry during a robbery three months ago in Tennessee, and $938,352 from a North Carolina store.

The total haul is estimated at more than $4.3 million and none of the jewels have been recovered.

FBI Special Agent Lawrence Borghini says he believes Kemp and Jones were acting on behalf of a bigger gang with the stolen gems even being sent abroad.

School days: Kemp attended Kennesaw High School until her senior year when she was expelled. Friends tell Daily Mail Online she would always talk back to teachers

School days: Kemp attended Kennesaw High School until her senior year when she was expelled. Friends tell Daily Mail Online she would always talk back to teachers

Rough crowd: Friends say Kemp (second from left) was pretty wild and mixed with people that girls of her background would not be seen with

Rough crowd: Friends say Kemp (second from left) was pretty wild and mixed with people that girls of her background would not be seen with

Employment: Abigail worked at Twin Peaks and Hooters. While working at Hooters she was arrested for battery after attacking a co-worker

Employment: Abigail worked at Twin Peaks and Hooters. While working at Hooters she was arrested for battery after attacking a co-worker

'They definitely have some connection with the ability to get these items to a place which can sell them or get them on the market and turn them into cash.'

Kemp appeared calm when she made her first court appearance before a federal judge in Atlanta.

Federal Magistrate Judge Linda. T. Walker who denied her bond called her a danger to the community and labeled her a flight risk.

Kemp's lawyers argued she's was not a flight risk since her family lives in Cobb County and said they wanted her out on bond so that she could look to her family for guidance.

Her parents Connie, 67 and Stephen ,65, were in court together with three female and two male friends.

Kemp began to cry when Marshalls slapped handcuff on her and led her out of the courtroom.

She is due in court in Panama City - and if convicted, she faces up to 20 years in jail.

Long before Kemp became one of the most wanted women in America Daily Mail Online has learned she was already well known to law enforcement.

As these series of mugshot photos, obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Online, show - Kemp was in and out of police custody since the age of 19.

Police and court documents lay out Kemp's long list of run-ins with the law that include seven arrests for charges ranging from underage drinking to drug possession to DUI and battery.

Arrest: Kemp and alleged accomplice, Lewis Jones, were arrested on January 8 by the FBI at the apartment complex where the two were living

Arrest: Kemp and alleged accomplice, Lewis Jones, were arrested on January 8 by the FBI at the apartment complex where the two were living

Home: Kemp and Lewis were dating and living together at this Smyrna, Georgia apartment complex but the apartment was on listed in her name

Home: Kemp and Lewis were dating and living together at this Smyrna, Georgia apartment complex but the apartment was on listed in her name

But the trouble first started for Kemp back in high school when she was expelled at 17 years old. 

Friends Daily Mail Online spoke to describe her as a 'spoiled rich kid' and a 'bad girl gone worse'.

'Abby would just talk her way into trouble,' says former best friend Stephanie Godfrey.

'She would just give so much back chat to the teachers and be rude.'

Kemp grew up in a $1 million home set on two acres with her older sister Kaitlin, 28, and parents Connie and Stephen in Marietta, Georgia.

But as soon as she hit her teen years Kemp began to rebel, according to friends.

'She was a great athlete and a very good basketball player but never made the team because she was always rude to the coach,' recalls Godfrey.

'She would mouth off and the teachers, I guess, just got tired of it.'

That led to her getting kicked out of Kennesaw Mountain High School her senior year. 

Kemp then attended Hillgrove High School in Smyrna, Georgia where she met Godfrey, now 24, and the two became close friends. 

'I guess I was her only friend. I was outgoing and we got on well, but she was always getting into trouble.'

Godfrey reveals Kemp would often travel from the suburb of Marietta to downtown Atlanta where she mixed with a 'sketchy crowd.'

Another friend says: 'Abby was pretty wild and was mixing with people that girls of her background would not be seen with.

'I think she liked danger. Abby never paid attention to anyone and did what she liked.'

That rebellious streak led to her first arrest in 2010 for underage drinking.

Kemp pleaded guilty after and served ten days community service.

She was also banned from leaving the state and forced to attend a drinking control program.

A year later, she was arrested again for underage drinking after police were called to a party at 5 a.m.

A police report shows Kemp and others had 'glassy bloodshot eyes' and a strong odor of alcohol coming from their breath.

She was released into the custody of her parents and officials at Cobb County State Court decided against any prosecution.

Kemp got a job at Hooters in 2011 but before the year was out she was arrested for battery.

In court documents, it's explained that she attacked another woman she worked with.

Michelle Butler claimed she was attacked from behind by Kemp, who hit her in the face and kicked her.

The victim said she suffered a cut to her lower lip and bruising around her left eye.

Again, the case was dropped before it came to Cobb County state court.

Kemp appeared to be keeping out of trouble last year while she was working at Twin Peaks, another restaurant known for its scantily dressed woman. 

Later that year she is alleged to have begun dating Jones. 

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