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TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - Actor
Wesley Snipes, star of the "Blade" movie series, was charged with tax fraud on Tuesday in an indictment that alleges he illegally claimed refunds of almost $12 million.

A warrant has been issued for Snipes' arrest, but the actor's whereabouts were unknown, Paul Perez, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, told a news conference in Tampa.

Snipes, 44, who has appeared in more than three dozen movies including "Jungle Fever," "White Men Can't Jump," "Rising Sun" and "U.S. Marshals," could face 16 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Snipes was charged along with Eddie Ray Kahn of Sorrento, Florida, and Douglas Rosile of Venice, Florida, in a scheme to cheat on income taxes.

Snipes' spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

Rosile has surrendered to authorities and Kahn is believed to be in Panama, Perez said.

The indictment alleges that Snipes failed to file federal income tax returns from 1999 through 2004 and conspired with Kahn and Rosile to file two amended returns for Snipes for 1996 and 1997, fraudulently claiming tax refunds of almost $12 million.

Perez said Kahn is the founder of American Rights Litigators (ARL) and its successor, Guiding Light of God Ministries (GLGM), both based in central Florida. Rosile is an accountant who prepared tax returns for ARL members.

The indictment said ARL claimed to be an organization that used aggressive accountants to protect Americans' rights and the GLGM "held itself out as a Christian ministry ... established to assist men and women in their pursuit of truth and freedom as Americans."

"In reality, ARL and GLGM were for-profit, commercial enterprises that promoted and sold fraudulent tax schemes ...," the indictment said.

The indictment said Rosile prepared tax returns for his clients according to the "861 argument," which claims the IRS imposes taxes only on income from certain foreign-based activities. As a result, the argument says, U.S. citizens are not subject to tax on income from within the United States.

The "861 argument" is a fraudulent misapplication of section 861 of the tax code that has been consistently rejected by courts, the indictment said.

The conspiracy and false claim charges each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $200,000 fine.

Snipes also faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine on each charge of failing to file income tax returns.

Snipes, who was born in Orlando, Florida, and once had a home in nearby Windermere, broke into movies in the 1986 film "Wildcats," starring
Goldie Hawn.

He is perhaps best known for action roles including the "Blade" thrillers, in which he starred as a heroic half-human, half-vampire. He earned $13 million for his role in "Blade: Trinity," the third in the series, according to the IMDb on-line movie database.

Reuters/VNU

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OCALA - Denzel Washington compares Wesley Snipes to a mighty oak tree.

Woody Harrelson views Snipes as a citizen of the world.

Judge Joe Brown casts Snipes as a life traveler serving his fellow man.

It seems hard to believe that a two-fisted, sexy, gun-toting Hollywood action star sounds like a cross between Gandhi and the Mother Teresa.

But, sometimes, that's what it takes to beat doing hard time for a federal tax rap.

Thursday is the first day of the rest of Snipes' legal life and he needs enough character references to impress Senior U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges into going easy. An Ocala jury in February found the famed actor guilty of three counts of willfully failing to file tax returns. Snipes faces up to three years in jail and possibly $5 million or more in fines.

One thing's for sure: Snipes isn't in New Jack City anymore.

This is Ocala and Snipes needs all the help he can get in this sentencing drama. That's where his famous and non-famous friends come in to the picture. They are trying to sway the judge with character references that may help determine if Snipes leaves the federal courthouse in handcuffs or a limousine. Thirty-one character references were submitted by Snipes' legal team.

Denzel Washington, the Academy Award winning actor, writes that he has known Snipes for 20 years.

"Wesley is 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."

Actor Woody Harrelson has also known Snipes for more than two decades. He praised Snipes for helping diffuse a tense racial situation with Harrelson and much of the black cast on the set of the movie "Wildcats."

"Wes took the time to discuss and dissect the issue of racism. ... He strives for rightness in all his relations and I realized early on what a true citizen of the world Wes is. ... it is an honor to call Wes my brother."

TV Judge Joe Brown waxed eloquent about Snipes' humanity, sometimes sounding as if he were writing a law book. Brown repeatedly referred to the actor as "Dr. Snipes" and wrote the actor is: "a traveler on that narrow path traversed by persons who look at the journey through life as an opportunity to deliver service to their fellow man."

Brown admits Snipes has a weakness: "He means well, but has yet to learn that his dedication and good purpose are not as universal with others as he tends to believe; a fault served up by a basic soundness and goodness of his heart."

Nobody's perfect.

But Snipes has built up plenty of good will with his pals over the years.

"Wes is a man of true and rare character and his positive influence in my life is incalculable," actor Bokeem Woodbine, wrote in a handwritten note.

Steven Barnes and Snipes met when they shared the same martial arts instructor. "Mr. Snipes is not just an impressive man on every personal level, but has become something of a symbol of manhood and integrity for an entire generation," Barnes wrote.

Allie Blaylock, another Snipes' buddy, wrote: "There were times when he [Snipes] postponed work to wait on the birth of one of his children or came back from working abroad to attend one of the kids' birthday parties."

Not only that, but Snipes is not above giving someone a lift.

"I have witnessed him share his personal transportation with others when they found it difficult to get around, even to the detriment of his own time obligations," wrote Eric Brown, Snipes' "personal driver."

Dana M. Campbell, a costume designer, described her experience working as a "dresser" with Snipes on a movie: "The experience made me a better woman and a better costume designer."

She added: "I live on two coasts and support myself. A lot of people don't have that luxury. I can afford my integrity, and I can say no."

Of course prosecutors have a different notion about Snipes.

"Snipes and his ilk nominally deny that any law makes them liable for tax, citing absurd pseudo-legal theories that self-servingly coincide with their own economic interests, " U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill wrote in a 37-page memo to the judge.

O'Neill added that the judge should send a message to the American public that Snipes didn't "beat the rap."

Not so, said TV Judge Greg Mathis in a letter supporting Snipes: "Wesley has become educated on the pitfalls of being generous, trustworthy and honest. I strongly believe that jail time would not benefit Wesley."

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Hmm. There was a report that when he was shooting one of the Blade sequels in Vancouver that he was an absolute nightmare. A total bully to the crew etc.

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"Snipes and his ilk nominally deny that any law makes them liable for tax, citing absurd pseudo-legal theories that self-servingly coincide with their own economic interests, " U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill wrote in a 37-page memo to the judge.

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...and which law is it that requires Americans to file a Tax Return, Mr. O'Neill?

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Hmm. There was a report that when he was shooting one of the Blade sequels in Vancouver that he was an absolute nightmare. A total bully to the crew etc.

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...and which law is it that requires Americans to file a Tax Return, Mr. O'Neill?

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hes not very nice
i waited on him once
hes a shitty tipper too
but i liked new jack city
so hes ok i guess

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Pretty Pleads says: Wesley Snipes is a shitty tipper.

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Pretty Pleads says: Wesley Snipes is a shitty tipper.

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Great! That's not helping the stereotype either.

FYI - I always tip 10 - 15% at the minimum, and much better if I enjoy the service. Blacks that were raised right DO tip well.

But still, I am pulling for you Wesley! That movie he was in One Night Stand was awesome for Black on Asian/White IR action.

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Pretty Pleads says: Wesley Snipes is a shitty tipper.

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Great! That's not helping the stereotype either.

FYI - I always tip 10 - 15% at the minimum, and much better if I enjoy the service. Blacks that were raised right DO tip well.

But still, I am pulling for you Wesley! That movie he was in One Night Stand was awesome for Black on Asian/White IR action.

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...and which law is it that requires Americans to file a Tax Return, Mr. O'Neill?

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Actually, that would be the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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So why can nobody clearly answer the question when asked?

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If it makes you feel better, T, I was told by my cousin that Andy Pettitte is the worst tipper EVER.

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Great! That's not helping the stereotype either.

FYI - I always tip 10 - 15% at the minimum, and much better if I enjoy the service. Blacks that were raised right DO tip well.

But still, I am pulling for you Wesley! That movie he was in One Night Stand was awesome for Black on Asian/White IR action.

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So why can nobody clearly answer the question when asked?

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Man, FUCK THIS SHIT!

He got the absolute max

Trying to resist playing the race card here, but this seems overzealous.

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Trying to resist playing the race card here...

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But you couldn't help yourself, could you?

I don't see what you're bitching about. If guys like Snipes don't pay their taxes, you'll never get your reparations, now, will you?

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T If guys like Snipes don't pay their taxes, you'll never get your reparations, now, will you?

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"Snipes and his ilk nominally deny that any law makes them liable for tax, citing absurd pseudo-legal theories that self-servingly coincide with their own economic interests, " U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill wrote in a 37-page memo to the judge.

O'Neill added that the judge should send a message to the American public that Snipes didn't "beat the rap."

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One of Chico's animated MMA gifs would serve us well here, as O'Neill's statement here was pretty much a front suplex on Snipes.