Found guilty of not paying taxes from 1999 to 2001, the 45-year-old actor was sentenced by Judge William Terrell Hodges to three years behind bars.
According to the judge, Snipes owes $41 million in taxes, and has only paid $5 million so far.
Following the sentence hearing, Snipes said, "I’m very sorry for my mistakes and errors. I apologize to my family, the court and the community. I’ve asked the court to show me mercy and the opportunity to make things right."
Several celebrities, including Denzel Washington and Woody Harrelson, were quick to defend the actor’s qualities.