A Long Branch man has been sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in a New Jersey state prison in connection with the assault and continued harassment of a female victim after having a restraining order placed against him, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said this week.
Brett Roach Sr., 50, was convicted on charges of disorderly persons simple assault, third-degree witness tampering, third-degree stalking and fourth-degree contempt. Roach was sentenced last month by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn, following a jury trial that took place Fri., Aug. 9.
In lieu of a bifurcated trial on additional counts of the Indictment, the defendant then pled 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. Judge Butehorn granted the state’s motion, and also imposed a two-year period of parole ineligibility.
On Fri., Jan. 27, 2023, members of the Eatontown Police Department 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. 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 over a 100 times, by phone, through third parties and via mail, all in violation of the restraining order. During these contacts, Roach repeatedly instructed the victim to drop the restraining order and the charges.
Persons restrained by court orders must abide by these lawful orders, especially in matters of domestic violence., the prosecutor said.
