Federal prosecutors say actor Wesley Snipes should serve the maximum possible penalty for failing to file a tax return.

Prosecutors say in court documents filed Monday that Snipes' case ''cries out'' for him to serve the maximum, which is up to three years in prison.

The ''Blade'' star's lawyer says he has not reviewed the documents and will respond with a pre-sentencing memorandum of his own.

Snipes, 45, was convicted in February of failing to file a tax return. He was acquitted of more serious tax fraud and conspiracy charges.

He's set to be sentenced April 24.

Making an example of Snipes, after years of "brazen defiance" of U.S. tax laws aimed at cheating the government of $41 million, would help deter other tax avoiders, U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill of Florida wrote in a court document.