Wesley Snipes, the “Blade” movie star, was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday for tax offences.

A federal judge decided to give Snipes the maximum term requested by his prosecutors – a year for each of the actor’s convictions of allegedly failing to file a tax return.

The actor’s attorneys argued that Snipes was not a dangerous man who should be locked away for the safety of the general public and that he deserved only probation for the misdemeanors.

Snipes called for family and famous friends to vouch for him, including Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington. He offered dozens of letters in court, which all pledged for his good character, but his efforts were fruitless.

Snipes highlighted his clean criminal record and wrote the government $5 million in checks, trying to convince the judge he only deserved home detention and public service announcements.

The judge ignored all these and also a plea from Snipes’ lawyers to keep the actor out of jail for the sake of his children. Snipes, who has divorced twice so far, is the father of five children, with ages between 1 and 19.

"The youngest will cry themselves to sleep, not understanding why their father is no longer there to love them," the lawyers said, in an attempt to impress the judge.

But prosecutors called Snipes a “notorious” and “inveterate” offender who would set a bad example should he walk away unpunished.

“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.

In February, Snipes was acquitted of five additional charges, including conspiracy and felony tax fraud, which each carried up to five years in prison.

Two Snipes co-defendants, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, were convicted of the felony fraud and conspiracy counts that the actor escaped.

"I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance," Snipes said in his defense, as quoted by the Associated Press. The actor called himself "well-intentioned, but miseducated."

One of Snipes’ lawyers said they would certainly appeal.

“We were hoping for a complete acquittal,” the lawyer, Linda Moreno, said, according to the New York Times. “I have faith in the process, and I have faith in the jury system. We will appeal.”