Wesley Snipes got 3 years for his tax issues

well just heard that Wesley Snipes got a 3 year bid for his failure to pay on his taxes. i still feel it comes down to money and he will end up paying it back anyway so why is he getting this kind of sentence? also he didn't get convicted off the more serious crimes so what gives here and how is it that Willie Nelson can avoid any time and is allowed to pay back 16 million dollars by selling his Music? I would think that anyone who owes tax money would need to be out to pay back the money they owe,etc... despite letters for his support from Denzel Washington, Woody Harrleson, Judge Joe Brown amongest others, it didn't work in Wesley Snipe's favor. taxes are a tricky thing and in some cases some folks has money taken from them and then you have situations as this which leads to someone getting actual Jail time. some folks will say he thought since he was Rich he was above paying taxes, some people will say he got some bad information in avoiding paying this or that,etc... regardless I always feel there should be some middle ground and if regardless he has to pay the money back in some for or fashion over time,so why keep him from working?