SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Joseph Prudente's HOA sent a notice that he had to replace the sod at his Saint Petersburg home. Prudente said when it came down to paying his two-month late mortgage or buying grass, he paid his mortgage.

The HOA took him to court over the issue and when Prudente didn't show up, he was held in contempt and ordered to go to jail.

"The other inmates, they didn't believe it. They asked me 'why you in Here', I said 'grass.' They said you mean (gesture) I said no grass on the ground," he said.

Prudente now has a green lawn. The community heard his story and dozens came together to lay fresh sod in his yard and install sprinklers.