Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Area Man Gets Extended 10-Year Prison Sentence for Witness Tampering/Harassment in Domestic Violence Case

An area man has been sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in prison in connection with the assault and continued harassment of a female victim after violating a restraining order against him, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.

Brett Roach Sr., 50, of Long Branch, was initially convicted in August on disorderly persons, simple assault, third-degree witness tampering, third-degree stalking and fourth-degree contempt charges. He was sentenced in October.

“Persons restrained by court orders must abide by these lawful orders, especially in matters of domestic violence. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and our local law enforcement partners shall seek to enforce these restraining orders and provide the protection these victims deserve during the critical times when they seek to separate from those that do harm.” Santiago said.

In lieu of a bifurcated trial on additional counts of the original indictment, the defendant then pleaded guilty to third-degree stalking and fourth-degree contempt. The stalking charge was elevated from a fourth-degree to a third-degree, due to the contact being in violation of a domestic violence restraining order.

At that time, the state moved for a discretionary extended-term motion whereby Roach would be eligible to be sentenced in the second-degree range. The state’s motion was granted, and a two-year period of parole ineligibility was imposed.

The case background …

On Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, Eatontown police responded to Stony Hill Road for a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers learned that there had been a verbal dispute that became physical and once the police department was called, the defendant fled the scene.

The victim in the case requested and was a granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). The defendant was later found and arrested the following day back at the residence. From there, he was detained in the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending trial.

During the first two and a half months of detention, he contacted the victim more than 100 times, by phone, through third parties and via mail, all in violation of the restraining order. Within these contacts, Roach repeatedly instructed the victim to drop the restraining order and the charges.