Wesley Snipes leaves federal court after being sentenced to threes years in prison Thursday.

“Snipes’ long prison sentence should send a loud and crystal clear message to all tax defiers that if they engage in similar tax defier conduct, they face joining him,” said Assistant Attorney General Nathan J. Hochman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman said the law is clear on taxes.

“There is no secret formula that eliminates a person’s tax obligations, nor are there any special exceptions,” he said.

“The majority of Americans pay their taxes timely and accurately. Those who willfully violate the law must be held accountable.”

In a civil suit, the IRS is seeking repayment of all taxes and interest from Snipes.

Federal prosecutors said the actor for nearly a decade escaped paying more than $15 million in income tax returns by sending money to overseas accounts, though they acknowledged in court that the amount is in dispute.

Before the sentencing, the actor asked the court to show mercy and offered three checks totaling $5 million as a gesture of good will.

Federal prosecutors diverted the checks to the U.S. Treasury — which accepted the payment — but it wasn’t enough.

“It’s essentially a down payment, but a fraction of what he owes,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Scotland Morris.

Snipes’ attorneys — who had argued he should get probation or house arrest — said they will appeal the sentence.

The actor, who showed little reaction, gave a loud “wow” to the crowd as he exited the courtroom.

A jury convicted Snipes on the misdemeanor charges February 1, but he was acquitted of more serious felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy. Jurors accepted his argument that he was innocently duped by errant tax advisers.

Defense attorneys in court documents suggested that to sentence Snipes harshly would be to disregard the jury’s verdict.

But prosecutors, in their sentencing recommendation, said the jurors’ decision “has been portrayed in the mainstream media as a ‘victory’ for Snipes. The troubling implication of such coverage for the millions of average citizens who are aware of this case is that the rich and famous Wesley Snipes has ‘gotten away with it.’ In the end the criminal conduct of Snipes must not be seen in such a light.”

Snipes, who has starred in dozens of movies, including the “Blade” trilogy, “Major League” and “Murder at 1600″ had received the support of many of Hollywood friends. Defense attorneys filed 39 pages of testimonials, letters from a Hollywood “Who’s Who” list and also high school friends and his employees.

Actors Denzel Washington and Woody Harrelson, as well as television judges Joe Brown and Greg Mathis, submitted letters to the judge on Snipes’ behalf.

In his letter, Washington said Snipes was “like a tree — a mighty oak … Many who know him have witnessed the fruit of his labors, have sat in his shade and even been protected by his presence. I am proud of him, proud to call him a fellow thespian and most importantly, proud to call him a friend.”

Brown, who addressed the court on Thursday, likened Snipes to legendary actors, including Sidney Poitier, and said, “I have been something of a mentor to the young man.”

“This man is one of the most honorable men of character,” said Robert Wall, CEO and president of World Black Belt, a martial arts training firm. “He’s made mistakes, but I’m so impressed with the depth of his character.”

Straight from FOXnews.com:

LOS ANGELES — A screaming, crying Paris Hilton was ordered back to jail Friday to serve out the remainder of her 45-day sentence for a parole violation in a reckless driving case.

“It’s not right!” shouted the weeping Hilton. “Mom!” she called out to her mother in the audience.

A witness said Hilton was “physically escorted” out of the courtroom by a female deputy.

The heiress will get credit for the five days she already served.

Hilton, 26, arrived in court Friday afternoon, sneaking past the media for the hearing that determined she was to be sent back to be jail. The sheriff’s department that released her from prison picked her up at her home under judge’s orders.

Hilton hugged her parents and her sister goodbye and appeared to be in handcuffs as she entered a black-and-white patrol car, in which she was photographed crying.

The car sped away from her home with lights flashing as news helicopters followed. Hilton arrived at the courthouse about 1:50 p.m. ET.

The reality star’s parents were also at the courthouse, with her mother Kathy Hilton telling reporters: “It’s in God’s hands.”

FOXnews is reporting right now that Paris Hilton was removed from the court screaming as he orders her back to jail to finish her sentence.

I will issue updates as it happens…