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Brett Roach Sr., 50, was sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Eatontown police responded to a domestic dispute at a home on Stony Hill Road on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Officers learned a verbal argument became physical and Roach left when police were called.
A woman was granted a temporary restraining order and Roach was arrested when he returned to the home the next day. He was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institute to await trial.
Investigators said Roach contacted the woman more than 100 times by phone, mail, and "through third parties."
"Within these contacts, Roach repeatedly instructed the victim to drop the restraining order and the charges," Santiago said.
After a jury trial on Friday, Aug. 9, Roach was convicted of third-degree witness tampering and stalking, fourth-degree contempt, and simple assault. Instead of a second trial, Roach pleaded guilty to additional charges of third-degree stalking and fourth-degree contempt.
The stalking charge was increased from a fourth-degree charge because Roach violated a domestic violence restraining order.
"Persons restrained by court orders must abide by these lawful orders, especially in matters of domestic violence," said 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."
Roach's sentence was elevated to a second-degree range and he must serve at least two years before he's eligible for parole.
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