Crime & Safety

Burglar, Drug Dealer, Fugitive Wanted On Probation Violation: NH Department Of Corrections

Ryan Michael Decato, a Lakes Region resident with a 15-year criminal history, is wanted by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections.

Ryan Michael Decato is wanted for violation of probation and absconding from drug court, according to the state department of corrections.
Ryan Michael Decato is wanted for violation of probation and absconding from drug court, according to the state department of corrections. (New Hampshire Department of Corrections)

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is asking for the public’s help finding a convicted drug dealer and burglar who is wanted on a probation violation.

Ryan Michael Decato is 34, white, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighs around 190 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Decato has several tattoos, including a “See to Live to Suffer” on his abdomen, a pit bull and “God Gave Me” on his left forearm, “Forever Alone” on his neck, and “So Two” on his chest. He has been known to use the alias “Ryan Gilespe,” corrections investigators said.

“Decato was last known to be residing with family in New Hampton,” investigators said. “Decato has been known to frequent the Meredith, Center Harbor, Tilton, and Plymouth areas as well.”

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Update

His alert noted Decato had “a litany of convictions,” including burglary, fentanyl sales, “many counts” of drug possession, domestic violence and assaults, theft, trespass, conduct after, and stolen property.

“It has been reported that Decato is actively using and selling drugs,” a corrections alert stated. “During prior arrests, 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.”

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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.

According to superior court records, Decato has a criminal history dating back nearly 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 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.

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. That case is still active. He was also accused of a probation violation in the New Hampton burglary case and that charge is still active.

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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