New arrest in Wendy's finger case

updated 8:49 p.m. ET May 19, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The husband of a woman accused of planting a human finger in a bowl of Wendy’s chili was extradited Thursday and booked into jail.

Jaime Plascencia, 43, had been jailed in Las Vegas since his May 4 arrest for failure to pay child support. Plascencia is likely to be arraigned Monday, said San Jose Police Sgt. Nick Muyo.

Plascencia is not currently charged in the Wendy’s case, but authorities have indicated they do not believe his wife, Anna Ayala, acted alone.

Ayala told police she discovered the fingertip March 22 while dining with her family at a Wendy’s in San Jose. Authorities allege the incident was a scheme to extort money from the Dublin, Ohio-based fast-food chain.

Authorities allege Plascencia’s co-worker severed the tip of his right finger in an industrial accident in December, then sold it to Plascencia. DNA analysis indicates the finger belonged to the co-worker, whom police have not named.

Ayala, 39, and Plascencia, 43, married two days after the industrial accident.

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