“Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider can’t afford child support and is seeking jail time

Actors John Schneider and Elly Castle appear at a gala on March 15, 2014 in LA (Photo: John M. Heller/Getty Images)

John Schneider is asking the court to reinstate his prison sentence following his early release.

The former Dukes of Hazzard star was sentenced to three days in Los Angeles County Jail in June for failing to pay more than $150,000 in child support owed to his ex-wife Elvira “Elly” Schneider. The actor was released on the same day as his first booking due to California's overcrowded prison system, but that did not resolve his legal issues.

Schneider was also sentenced to an additional 120 hours behind bars for contempt, but that sentence was suspended by the court on the condition that he comply with a four-part list of conditions, including paying back taxes to clear ownership of her Apple Valley property, in order to do so it could be transferred to her, paid his ex half of his owed earnings from Maven Entertainment, and provided certain financial disclosures before the end of the year.

However, instead of adhering to the court's full requirements, Schneider wants to take his time.

In a July 6 letter to the judge in his case obtained by PEOPLE, Schneider wrote that he felt “regret and embarrassment” for declining the opportunity to comply with the court's requirements, but that “I “I tried to do what I thought was “right” throughout the entire process. He further revealed that Maven, an independent company, had already made several financial advances on his behalf and therefore his earnings were reduced by his debts to that company.

Schneider said it was “unlikely” that he would be able to meet the conditions set by the court to drop the charges and avoid his three-day jail sentence. Instead, he asked the court to simply imprison him for the entirety of that sentence.

“I am willing and able to accept the penalty for my actions/inactions in this matter and I request this court to impose that penalty without further delay,” he wrote.

The story goes on

However, we may not see Schneider in handcuffs again just yet. On July 17, Elvira's attorneys filed a motion to strike the letter from the record as an unlawful ex parte communication until a hearing could be arranged and attorneys had an opportunity to cross-examine Schneider about his alleged financial problems.

Schneider is expected to perform 240 hours of community service as part of his sentencing, whether or not he returns to prison.

The former couple separated in 2014 after 21 years of marriage when Elvira filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. She received $18,911 in monthly support.