John Schneider opens up before going to jail for delinquent spousal support, says he's "disheartened" with system
'Smallville' star John Schneider has finally broken his silence over the recent arrest, as reported by Fox News. The actor has been sentenced to three days of jail time for being unable to pay over $150,000 in delinquent alimony.
Schneider and his estranged wife Elvira have been separated ever since she filed for divorce in 2014. The couple got married in the year 1993, and share three children together, two of whom are Elvira's children from her previous marriage.
The 58-year-old was sentenced to the jail time in the Los Angeles County Jail on Monday, TMZ reports. As per the publication, Schneider was called in after he failed to pay the spousal support due to his estranged wife, Elvira 'Elly' Schneider, by mid-March.
"I'm disheartened with the system but my head's up, and I'm going to go do what I have to do and make it through the next couple of days," the actor told Fox News.
The actor, who represented himself in court recently, said that he has worked "for everything I have and had and lost and continue to do so."
"It's common sense versus entitlement. I've worked seven days a week, 80 hours a week, at least since 1978," he said as he prepared to turn himself in.
"I have, as every working person has, a mountain of debt that was attached to my dream. And there's a group now that somehow feels they're entitled to life or even luxury without work and the judicial system apparently agrees with that."
In February, it was reported by People that a judge gave Schneider until March 14 to pay more than $150,000 in support to Elvira.
At the time, it was said that the judge ordered the actor to transfer his Apple Valley property to Elvira in a bid to resolve the property’s tax liens. However, Schneider failed to comply.
"If I had it [money], I would've given it to her just to let this go away but I don't have it," he said in his interview after the jail time was announced. "Hopefully this is evidence of that."
He also spoke about what he plans to do once in jail, and on the topic, said, "I'm going to write songs and I'm going to finish my book," adding that he's also "anxious to see the inner workings of the jail system."
The actor, who is widely known for his role in 'Dukes of Hazzard', also mentioned that he had received a phone call from his dear friend, "The Haves And The Have Nots" creator Tyler Perry. "[Tyler and I] agree on this very important thing: They can take your stuff but they cannot have your dream," Schneider said recalling his earlier conversation with Perry.
"He is a dreamer and a liver of his dreams, and I am the same and we are of one spirit. So these next three days are going to fuel my dream, not damage it in any way."