Wesley Snipes avoiding jail time

OCALA, Fla., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Film star Wesley Snipes does not have to report to prison next week as directed by the U.S. Marshal's office, a federal judge in Florida said.

U.S. District Court Judge William Terrell Hodges -- sentenced Snipes in 2008 to 36 months in prison for tax-related crimes -- has overruled a marshal's order that Snipes report to the Bureau of Prisons Sept. 2 to begin serving his sentence, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Hodges established a court schedule Aug. 5 for hearing outstanding motions in the case, including a prosecution request to revoke bail for Snipes, whose film credits include "White Men Can't Jump," "Jungle Fever" and "Blade."

The judge's order mean Snipes can remain free indefinitely "pending further order of the court," the Sentinel reported.

A federal appeals court this year upheld the actor's conviction and sentence. Snipes's legal team has asked the judge to order a new trial.