JULY 11--If The Smoking Gun is known for anything, it's our diligent efforts to point out the dangers of gentlemen's clubs.

Our latest cautionary tale of pleasure's pitfalls comes from Jacksonville, Arkansas, where a trio of strippers is facing criminal charges for the onstage beating of a male patron with a wood paddle and a leather whip.

According to a Pulaski County Sheriff's Office report, truck driver Keith Lowery told investigators that he was handcuffed to a pole at the Sensations club and set upon by the dancers during a June 17 visit.

Lowery, who was celebrating his 31st birthday with pals who paid $25 for his ceremonial birthday whuppin', said that he was injured when the 4:30 AM stunt went too far. He claimed that he "begged" management to stop the paddling/whipping, but that his plea was rejected.

After a bruised Lowery contacted cops, three dancers and two Sensations managers were each arrested and charged with a felony count of obscene performance in a public place (the strippers also were hit with a misdemeanor battery count).

At left you'll find mug shots of the three dancers and a female manager (sorry, we didn't have space for the male manager's picture). The women, scheduled for an August 4 District Court appearance, are, clockwise from upper left, Kelly Eslick, 21; Lisa Nolen, 23; Charlene Smith, 23; and manager Dena Mitchell, 30. (2 pages)