Long Branch Man Sentenced To Extended Term For Witness Tampering

Friday, November 8, 2024, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

EATONTOWN, NJ.- On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported a 50-year-old Long Branch, New Jersey man has been sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with a January 2023 domestic violence assault and continued witness intimidation of a woman who requested a restraining order placed against him.

     According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Brett Roach, Sr., 50, of Long Branch, was convicted on the charges of a Disorderly Persons Offense of Simple Assault; third-degree Witness Tampering; third-degree Stalking; and fourth-degree Contempt. Last month, Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn sentenced Roach following a jury trial on Friday, August 9, 2024.

     Instead of a second trial on additional charges unsealed in the Indictment, Roach pled guilty to third-degree Stalking and fourth-degree Criminal Contempt. The Stalking charge was elevated from a fourth-degree to a third-degree offense because it involved violating a domestic violence restraining order.

Prosecutors Seek Extended Term

     At that time, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office moved to have Roach sentenced under the second-degree range. Judge Butehorn granted the Prosecutor’s request and sentenced him to a ten-year term with two years of parole ineligibility.

     The charges and sentence stem from multiple incidents that began on Friday, January 27, 2023, when members of the Eatontown Police Department responded to a Stony Hill Road residence for a report of a domestic dispute.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers learned that Roach had been involved in a verbal dispute with a female that quickly turned physical. Once the Police were called, Roach fled the residence. The woman requested and was granted a Temporary Restraining Order. Roach was later located and taken into custody the following day at the Stony Hill Road residence.

Roach Begins A Pattern Of Harassment

     Following being charged, Roach was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Facility and ordered detained pending trial. During the first two and half months of his detention, Roach contacted the woman over a hundred times by phone through third parties, and by mail, all in violation of the restraining order. During these contacts, Roach repeatedly instructed the woman 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 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 critical times when they seek to separate from those that do harm,” Prosecutor Santiago stated.