Inmate complains about hair in food, faces trial

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. - An Idaho Springs, Colo. man is going on trial and could face up to 24 years in prison after complaining about a hair in a meal he was served while already serving time in the Summit County Jail, reports CBS Denver.

Inmate Ray Wolfe, 37, claims the beef stroganoff he was served for supper at the jail on Jan. 28 had a long, dark hair mixed in with it.

"I just assumed that someone was messing with me," Wolfe told the station in a phone interview from the Park County jail where he was transferred after the incident.

"I just wanted a new tray," recalled Wolfe, who reported the hair to his jailers.

Little did Wolfe know he was stirring up a pot of trouble. His accusation led to a full investigation by the Summit County Sheriff Office. In audio recordings obtained by CBS Denver, the sheriff's office questioned the kitchen staff, asking each person working that day whether they put hair in Wolfe's tray.

Investigators then pulled surveillance video and investigators believe it shows Wolfe tampering with his own tray, reports the station.

"As seen in the reflection in the windows, Wolfe stands at the drinking fountain with his tray for approximately eight seconds," according to Summit County Sergeant Ron Hochmuth's incident report. "During this time Wolfe can be seen making small movements with his arms and hands. It is with these movements and during this time I believe Wolfe placed the hair found on top of the food in his meal tray."

Wolfe was charged with tampering with physical evidence, false reporting, attempt to influence public servant and a bail bond violation, according to the station.

He is reportedly also being charged with three habitual criminal sentence enhancements. In all, he could face up to 24 years for reporting the hair in his food, according to the station.

Summit County District Attorney Bruce Brown calls it a case of fraud and explains putting the hair in the food is not the crime, "It's making up the story that there was hair in the food that is the real crime."

CBS Denver asked Brown if the cost of the investigation and subsequent three-day jury trial is worth the expense.

"We don't evaluate cases based upon dollars and cents. We evaluate cases based upon justice," Brown said.

"Sometimes if you don't prosecute conduct it repeats," Brown continued. "We certainly don't want to be facilitating a pattern of false allegations."

Wolfe is also charged for five separate incidents while in custody at the Summit County jail, in addition to the assault and menacing charges that landed him behind bars in the first place.

"For people who have demonstrated difficulty in adhering to the social expectations," Brown said, "They are treated differently than maybe someone who is a first-timer."

Despite the charges, Wolfe is sticking to his story and says he didn't tamper with his food. But he regrets speaking up.

"I would probably go hungry if I knew I was even going to be charged," he told the station.