Copyright PR Photos Wesley Snipes has played many roles over his career as a movie star. The role he will now try and avoid, is playing a man sentenced to jail.

A prison term for Snipes is a very real possibility after the events that unfolded on Tuesday. U.S. prosecutors have recommended that Snipes be hit with the maximum sentence allowed.

Snipes has been convicted for willful failure to file returns. The fact that he did it knowingly is what the prosecutors are basing their recommendations on.

"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 crime nationwide, "U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill wrote in his filing.

The filing occurred on Monday, but was not revealed until today, which just happens to be tax day. The prosecutors are trying in this case to send a message to others, and are using Snipes' stardom to help spread the word, according to some legal experts.