A convicted murderer who was part of the survivalist cult known as "Posse Comitatus" in Richardson County, Neb., was paroled last week.
Timothy Haverkamp, 47, was sentenced May 8, 1986, to 10 years to life for second-degree murder in connection with the torture and death of James Thimm, a fellow survivalist killed at a Rulo farm in 1985.
Mr. Haverkamp was being held at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln, Neb., and was released June 23. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, he plans to remain in Lincoln and has a job as a welder with a construction company. He will live with the Rev. Sam Keyzer, a pastor at Northern Lighthouse Church, which has a prison ministries program.
Mr. Haverkamp was one of five members of the Rulo survivalist cult sent to prison in the death of Mr. Thimm and in connection with the slaying of 5-year-old Luke Stice, whose bodies were uncovered at the farmhouse following an investigation and search of the property.
Cult leader Michael Ryan was convicted in Mr. Thimm’s death and sits on Nebraska’s death row.
According to an article published in the May 9, 1986, Hiawatha Daily World, Mr. Ryan’s 16-year-old son Dennis was initially charged with first-degree murder in the case, but was later convicted of second-degree murder and was given the maximum sentence of life in prison.
He was released in 1997 after a state Supreme Court ruling allowed for resentencing.
Two other men involved in Mr. Thimm’s torture were released more than a decade ago.
