Lakes Region Burglar And Drug Dealer Is A Fugitive From Probation Violations, NH Corrections Says

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is again asking the public for help finding a prior Fugitive of the Week accused of violating probation again.

Ryan Michael Decato is 34, white, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighs about 190 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Sometimes, according to officials, he uses the alias, “Ryan Gilespe.” Decato has several tattoos, including “See to Live to Suffer” on his abdomen, a pit bull and “Gave Gave Me” on his left forearm, “Forever Alone” on his neck, and “So Two” on his chest.

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Decato was last known to be living with family in New Hampton, investigators said. But he also frequents many Lakes Region communities, including Center Harbor, Meredith, Plymouth, and Tilton. His prior charges, called “a litany of convictions” by corrections, include burglary, fentanyl sales, possession, domestic violence, criminal trespass, stolen property, conduct after, and willful concealment.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the process for requesting the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

“It has been reported that Decato is known to abuse narcotics and is selling drugs,” an alert stated. “Law enforcement should take caution for possession and drug paraphernalia during arrest. Decato has been known to have needles on him and will deny their presence. Needles have been in his pockets, fully loaded, placing others at risk.”

According to superior court records, Decato has a criminal history dating back about 15 years.

In July 2010, he was arrested on a felony drug possession charge in Ashland and pleaded guilty to the charge about seven months later. Decato was fined and sentenced to 12 months, but both were suspended for two years. The case was reopened two years later after a violation of a court order.

Decato was accused of felony receiving stolen property and burglary in New Hampton in March 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charge four months later. He was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended upon good behavior for five years, and fined around $3,300. He was also given credit for 110 days served. He was found guilty of violating probation in March 2017 and was sent to prison for one to three years with 40 days credit for time served.

In 2018 and 2019, he was accused of possessing and selling drugs in Plymouth. In June 2019, he pleaded guilty to three charges and was sentenced to two to four years in prison and fined $620, which was suspended for five years.

Decato was accused of three drug possession charges out of Campton in January 2021 and three drug possession charges and driving after revocation or suspension in Thornton in March 2021. He was also charged with burglary in June 2021 in New Hampton. In November 2021, he pleaded guilty to the burglary charge and received a three to six-year sentence suspended for six years with 104 days of time served credit. In February 2022, he pleaded guilty to the driving and four of the drug charges, receiving two to four years, all suspended for five years.

Last year, he was charged with felony receiving stolen property in Center Harbor and pleaded guilty to the single count in June 2023, receiving a three-to-six-year sentence suspended for five years. In October 2024, the sentence was amended to 12 months in jail and 12 months of probation after. The sentence was amended again on March 4 — with 40 days of time served credit added. Decato was accused of violation of probation on June 11 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Decato was also accused of a probation violation in the New Hampton burglary case. He was sentenced in October 2024 with a 12-month jail sentence with 280 days of time served credit. On March 4, the sentence was amended to 12 months with 240 days of time served credit.

Decato was also charged with acts prohibited, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct in Hill in November 2023. He failed to appear at the arraignment in December 2023. A year later, Decato reached a plea deal on the charges, pleading guilty to two acts prohibited charges and receiving two 12-month sentences and $1,240 in fines, all suspended for four years.

If you know where Decato is, do not try to apprehend him. Contact local police, the corrections department at 603-271-1804, or the Belknap Sheriff’s Office at 603-527-5454.

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