Wesley Snipes released from prison after three years
Wesley Snipes was released this week from a Pennsylvania prison after nearly three years and transferred to house arrest.
The star was admitted in 2010 on charges of federal tax evasion.
According to TMZ, Wesley Snipes, 50, left the McKean Federal Corrections on Tuesday, several months shy of his 3 year sentence.
Wesley Snipes is no longer listed as an inmate at the rural facility, and is now listed on the website of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBP) as being under the watchful eye of the New York Communty Corrections Office.
Officers will keep a watchful eye on the actor as he finishes out his sentence under home confinement, which the FBP lists as July 19.
Wesley Snipes’ release is – ironically – just two weeks before tax day.
The actor was found guilty of not paying as much as $15 million in dividends to the government for his earnings from 1999 to 2001.
His lawyers argued that his tax advisers, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, who were also jailed, had duped their client with a claim that there were no laws requiring him to pay tax.
Wesley Snipes also expressed to CNN’s Larry King that he was “nervous” of his impending stay at the minimum security white-collar facility, which works its inmates from dawn until dusk doing chores such as landscaping and food service.
The actor was also given limited contact with his family – he is the father of five children – as inmates only have 300 minutes of call time per month and conjugal visits were not allowed.
“I think any man would be nervous,” Wesley Snipes said.
“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… I think anyone would be nervous about that.”
While in prison Wesley Snipes had tried to appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court, but was turned down and ordered to finish out his term.
No word yet on how soon before Wesley Snipes jumps back into acting.
Wesley Snipes is best known for his roles in Jungle Fever, Blade and White Men Can’t Jump.