Snipes ordered to jail

Snipes has been ordered to jail

Friday, 03, Dec 2010 08:51

By Tim Lesnik

Actor Wesley Snipes has been given until December 9th to surrender to US authorities and start a three-year prison term.

The Blade star has been on bail since being found guilty of tax evasion at a Florida court in 2008.

Despite earning $37 million (£24 million) between 1999 and 2004, prosecutors said Snipes had failed to file tax returns or pay any federal taxes.

However, Snipes claims that jurors were prejudiced against him before the start of the trial and that he was not given a fair hearing.

On this basis, his solicitor has appealed against the conviction to the US Supreme Court and had argued that Snipes should be allowed to remain on bail until the case is heard.

This plea has been refused and a Florida judge has ordered Snipes to report to Federal Correction Institution McKean in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania by noon next Thursday.

As well as Blade, Snipes has appeared in films including Money Train, US Marshalls, Liberty Stands Still and Hard Luck.