Prison For Long Branch Man Who Violated Restraining Order

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A Long Branch was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting and harassing a woman after a restraining order was placed against him.

Brett Roach, Sr., 50, was convicted on charges of disorderly persons simple assault, third-degree witness tampering, third-degree stalking and fourth-degree contempt. He previously pleaded guilty to stalking and 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.

On Jan. 27, 2023, members of the Eatontown Police Department responded to a home on Stony Hill Road for a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers learned there had been a verbal dispute that became physical. Once the police department was called, the suspect (Roach) fled the scene.

The victim requested and was a granted a temporary restraining order. Roach was later found and arrested the following day back at the home. From there, he was detained in the Monmouth County jail pending trial.

During the first two and a half months of detention, he contacted the victim over a hundred times, by phone, through third parties and via mail, all in violation of the restraining order, said the prosecutor. 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," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago. "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.”