Area man sentenced for illegal gun possession

The former owner of a strip club in Sunrise Beach, Mo., was sentenced in federal court Thursday for illegally possessing 31 firearms.

Jimmy Duane Davis, 57, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison without parole. Davis was the owner of the now-defunct Eclipse Gentleman's Club.

Authorities said on July 24, 2012, Davis pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms.

Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Davis's residence and neighboring business on Aug. 19, 2010, after receiving a report that Davis was in possession of firearms.

A gun safe in the basement contained 30 shotguns, rifles and handguns. Agents also observed numerous rounds of ammunition around the room, and a Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic pistol in a case on top of the gun safe. In addition, five shotgun shells were found in an upstairs bedroom.

According to his plea agreement, Davis purchased 12 firearms-specific hunting permits between 2006 and 2009.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearms or ammunition. Davis has two prior felony convictions for trafficking in methamphetamine and a prior felony conviction for selling marijuana.