A Complaint About A Stray Hair In A Colorado Inmate’s Food Could Add 20-Plus Years To His Sentence

One Colorado inmate regrets his decision to complain to prison staff about a hair he found in his food. Inmate Ray Wolfe, 37, says he was surprised when he lifted the lid off his tray and found a long, dark hair mixed in with the beef and noodles. However, little did Wolfe know, reporting this one little hair to staff could land him a prison sentence extension of up to 24 years.

CBS Denver reports, Wolfe’s accusation led to a full investigation by the Summit County Sheriff Office. In audio recordings obtained by CBS, the sheriff’s office questioned the kitchen staff, asking each person working that day whether they put hair in Wolfe’s tray. The investigation included watching surveillance video of the kitchen staff and inmates in charge of serving the food. The video also included footage of Wolfe receiving his tray.

Wolfe steps outside of the video surveillance area, but can be seen in a window reflection tampering with his own food. Summit County Sergeant Ron Hochmuth says,

“As seen in the reflection in the windows, Wolfe stands at the drinking fountain with his tray for approximately eight seconds. 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.”

Global News notes that Wolfe could get up to an additional 24 years on his prison sentence for the false reporting of the hair in his Stroganoff. Summit County District Attorney Bruce Brown has now charged Wolfe with three felonies, including tampering with physical evidence, false reporting, and attempting to influence a public servant, as well as a bail bond violation.

Brown justified the decision to press charges, saying the act of lying about the misplaced hair “offends the integrity of Summit County government on a very fundamental level.” Wolfe is also facing charges on five separate, unrelated incidents during his time in Summit County Jail, on top of the assault and menacing charges that put him behind bars to begin with.

Wolfe is now regretting pointing out the hair to prison officials saying,

“I would probably go hungry if I knew I was even going to be charged. I just assumed that someone was messing with me. I just wanted a new tray.”

What do you think about the hairy Stroganoff fiasco? Are the charges against Wolfe warranted or is the trial a waste of taxpayer money?

It is interesting to point out that this man placing a hair in his own food warrants three felony charges, whereas a woman can allegedly starve her dog for three weeks and then toss him on the side of the road and only receive a misdemeanor.