# VERIFIED — Notary John S. Hicks, WA commission #194569

**Source:** WA Dept. of Licensing License Lookup (https://professions.dol.wa.gov/s/license-lookup),
captured 2026-08-15 (user cleared reCAPTCHA). Screenshot: `NOTARY_Hicks_194569.png`;
raw text: `NOTARY_Hicks_194569_result.txt`.

## Result (official record)
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Name | **John S Hicks** |
| License / commission # | **194569** |
| Profession | **Notary Public** |
| Status | **Active** |
| Sub-status | None |
| **Disciplinary action** | **None** |
| City | **Seattle** |

## What this means (and what it does NOT mean)
- The commission number **194569 matches the name John S Hicks** and is a **real, currently ACTIVE**
  Washington notary in **Seattle** with **no disciplinary history**. This is the same name that
  appears on all three fraudulent quitclaim deeds and the supporting notices/declarations.
- **This is therefore NOT a "fake/forged notary" situation** — an important correction to the earlier
  "unverified" note. Do not allege the notary is fictitious; the record shows otherwise.
- It DOES give investigators a **real, identifiable, accountable third party** who notarized the
  fraudulent instruments. That is valuable because:
  1. If Hicks properly performed the notarizations, then Shroyer, Schermer, and Ingalls **personally
     appeared before him and presented ID** — corroborating that the named individuals executed the
     deeds (helps prove identity/intent).
  2. WA notaries must keep a **journal** (RCW 42.45 / WAC 308-30) recording each notarization (date,
     document, signer ID, signature). Det. Bo Miller can request/subpoena Hicks's **journal entries**
     for these dates — a strong evidentiary thread (who appeared, what ID was shown).
  3. If Hicks did **not** properly verify identity, or the acknowledgments are defective, that is a
     **notarial-misconduct** matter the DOL and the detective can pursue (RCW 42.45.150 / .160) —
     separate from the deed fraud itself.

## Timing note for investigators (from the deed images)
- The deeds were notarized **Feb–May 2025**. The seal OCR'd as expiration **"9-01-25"** (one page
  mis-OCR'd "2/26/25"). The commission shows **ACTIVE as of 2026**, which means it was either renewed
  or the commission period differs from the OCR'd seal date — Det. Miller should confirm the exact
  commission dates and whether a **valid commission was in force on each notarization date**
  (02/24/2025, 02/27/2025, 04/01/2025, 04/02/2025, 05/02/2025).

## Recommended follow-up (authorities / attorney)
1. Ask Det. Miller to obtain **Hicks's notary journal** entries for the five notarization dates.
2. Confirm the **exact commission effective/expiration dates** with DOL (was a valid commission in
   force on each date?).
3. Interview Hicks: did the three grantors physically appear and present ID? This directly bears on
   identity, intent, and whether the notarizations were proper.