NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
AUTO
HOMES
JOBS
What's Inside:
Hyperlink Legend · E-mail story · Comments · iPod friendly version · Print friendly version

Home « Local « Rulo murderer gets parole
Rulo murderer gets parole
by Joey May/Hiawatha World

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

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.

  COMMENT
These comments are a means for our readers to voice their opinion on local issues in and around the St. Joseph area.
The following comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. We do not review every post or respond to every suggestion for a comment to be removed.
Before posting, please read the following rules:
  • Comments that threaten someone or degrade them on the basis of gender, race, class, national origin, religion or disability will be removed.
  • Comments containing abusive, vulgar or sexually-oriented language will be removed.
  • Comments that spread rumors or lies will be removed. Please discuss only what has been factually proven.
  • Comments posted in all caps will be removed.
  • Stay on topic! Comments that stray away from the original topic will be deleted.
  • Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatant cutting and pasting is not acceptable.
  • Comments must be kept under 250 words or less.
  • Stjoenews.net moderators also reserve the right to remove comments for any reason they deem worthy.
Please read our user agreement
tallest June 30, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The fact this guy performed a public service notwithstanding, uh... why is he out of jail???

Recommend:
+ 4
- 1
donaldo June 30, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

he will have to live with this for the rest of his life! may you think of your deed daily and have nightmares nightly. there should be no rest for people that stand back and let this kind of behayvior go on. you will get your,s ,boy.

Recommend:
+ 4
- 1
Mistyblu72MO June 30, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Talk about injustices. He murders a 5 year old child and he get's to rejoin the free? I have to agree with you redness, they must have had to make room for some "really bad criminals" like people that go to prison and have a felony on them because in the way the job market is now a days they can't pay child support. Who's gonna get out next? Charles Manson? What in the heck was the parole board thinking? Or were they? OHH i bet this guy " found Jesus" while he was in there and that's why they let him out. grrrrrrrrrr.

Recommend:
+ 2
- 0
whatajoke July 2, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Nebraska!!! Why would you let such a horrible criminal free? Everyone keep a close eye on your children.....a monster is once again roaming free!!!!!!

Recommend:
+ 1
- 0
Requires free stjoenews.net registration.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment: