A US federal jury returned a verdict of three misdemeanour charges against actor Wesley Snipes last Friday, acquitting him of the most serious tax fraud charges he faced.

The jury found him guilty of failing to file returns or pay taxes from 1999 through 2001. He faces up to three years in prison. If convicted of the felonies, he would have faced up to 16 years, according to The New York Times.

Snipes, who made his name in films like the ‘Blade’ vampire trilogy, was ordered to pay up to $17m(₤8.6m) in back taxes plus penalties and interest. His two co-defendants – Eddie Ray Kahn, a promoter of tax denial, and Douglas Rosile, a former accountant – were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges.

This was the fourth major case in which the US Justice Department failed to win convictions in cases against prominent tax deniers. The New York Times reported the verdict drew whoops of joy outside the federal courthouse from fellow tax deniers who proclaimed another victory.

Further reading:

Jury deliberates on Snipes tax case

Snipes' lawyer admits his letters were 'kooky'

Read story in The New York Times