Movie star Wesley Snipes could get three years in jail and a fine of $5 million when he is sentenced Thursday on federal tax evasion charges.

Action star Wesley Snipes will be sentenced in federal court in Ocala, Fla., on Thursday, on federal tax evasion charges. He was convicted in February of three charges of willful failure to file a tax return, after a jury found him guilty of willfully failing to file taxes for three years.

The 45-year-old was found guilty of not filing his 1999, 2000 and 2001 returns. He was acquitted of two felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy that each carried up to five years in prison, reports the Associated Press.

Two Snipes co-defendants, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, were convicted of the felony fraud and conspiracy counts that the actor escaped. Snipes’ lawyers argued at the trial that he was simply a victim who innocently took the bad advice of others.

Snipes allegedly made at least $13.8 million during that three-year period and owes $2.7 million in taxes. Prosecutors called Snipes a “notorious” and “inveterate” offender who would set a bad example should he walk away unpunished.

Prosecutors are asking U.S. District Judge William Hodges to sentence the actor to the maximum three years in prison and a fine of at least $5 million, in order to show taxpayers that refusal to pay income taxes entails serious penalties.

“This case cries out for the statutory maximum term of imprisonment, as well as a substantial fine, because of the seriousness of defendant Snipes’ crimes and because of the singular opportunity this case presents to deter tax crimes nationwide,” prosecutors wrote in a memorandum to the judge, as quoted by the AP.

The “Blade” films star’s attorneys are arguing that Snipes is not a dangerous man who should be locked away for the safety of the general public and that he deserves only probation for the misdemeanors.

His lawyers submitted on Wednesday three dozen letters from friends attesting to his character, including actors Denzel Washington and Woody Harrelson, adds the AP.