Wesley Snipes is no longer a free man — at least not for the next three years.
The 48-year old actor showed up at McKean Federal Correctional Institute in Lewis Run, PA on Thursday morning local time to pay the price for not paying his taxes.
Snipes, who starred in the “Blade” franchise and films such as Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” and Mario Vann Pebbles’ “New Jack City,” was found guilty in April 2008 of failing to file any federal taxes over a three-year period in which the actor earned nearly $40 million.
The actor unsuccessfully appealed the conviction several times, even declaring he would take it to the Supreme Court – though he never filed documents. On Nov. 30, federal prosecutors dismissed Snipes contention to remain out on bail with going forward with another appeal.
Even though he has put up a defiant face during his case, the actor, who tried a last minute appeal attempt to spend the holidays with his family, admitted the time behind bars made him very uneasy.
"Given the length of time that they are suggesting that I be away from my family, away from my profession, away from my ability to provide for my family and for those who have depended upon me to contribute to society,” Snipes told CNN’s Larry King earlier this week, “I think anyone would be nervous about that."
