Storey commission could suspend license of convicted brothel owner

Storey County commissioners will hold a special meeting Friday to decide if a brothel owner who was convicted on child pornography charges will lose his license.

David Burgess, 55, a Nevada brothel owner and Hells Angels member, was convicted April 18 in Wyoming of possessing and transporting child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 7 in federal court in Cheyenne, Wyo.

The commission will meet at 11 a.m. Friday in the Storey County Courthouse.

Burgess faces from five to 30 years in prison, up to a $500,000 fine, and from five years to life of supervised probation. His court-appointed attorney, James Barrett, said he would appeal the conviction.

Burgess owns the Old Bridge Ranch in north Storey County.

Storey County Sheriff Jim Miller said his office would present the case for revocation to the commission as soon as they complete an investigation of the matter.

According to the county code, Miller said, a person who has a felony conviction can't have a brothel license.

At his trial, prosecutors said investigators found child pornography on two hard drives that were seized from Burgess' motor home last July during a traffic stop in western Wyoming. During the stop, which was originally made for expired license plates, Burgess was arrested on drug charges when substances believed to be marijuana and cocaine were found in the motor home. Drug charges were later dismissed.

Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351. The Associated Press contributed to this report.