Overview › Timeline
Timeline of events
A chronological view of the filings and the response. Red markers are the fraudulent filings; gold marks the community/County response; green marks independent documentation.
Genuine U.S. Land Patents issued
Real 19th-century land patents are granted to Whidbey Island pioneers (Amos Phinney, Marshall Blinn, David Franklin). Decades later these names are misused as the basis for the false claims.
Real 19th-century land patents are granted to Whidbey Island pioneers (Amos Phinney, Marshall Blinn, David Franklin). Decades later these names are misused as the basis for the false claims.
First Shroyer notice recorded (#4582592)
Douglas Shroyer records a “notice” — the first instrument in the sequence.
Douglas Shroyer records a “notice” — the first instrument in the sequence.
Shroyer quitclaim deed recorded (#4582708)
Claims 577.70 acres across Sections 29/32/33, T30N R3E, self-to-self, citing Land Patent No. 129. The County later annotated it in its index as “INVALID DEED.”
Claims 577.70 acres across Sections 29/32/33, T30N R3E, self-to-self, citing Land Patent No. 129. The County later annotated it in its index as “INVALID DEED.”
“Gold Dust Title Company, LLC” formed
Washington SOS records show an LLC (UBI 605 800 985), sole governor Douglas “Steven” Shroyer, principal office in Langley, WA (220 2nd St #101-42), mailing 8406 6th Ave NW Seattle, registered agent Ballard Law Group. See the Gold Dust Title Company and Ballard Law Group pages.
Washington SOS records show an LLC (UBI 605 800 985), sole governor Douglas “Steven” Shroyer, principal office in Langley, WA (220 2nd St #101-42), mailing 8406 6th Ave NW Seattle, registered agent Ballard Law Group. See the Gold Dust Title Company and Ballard Law Group pages.
golddusttitle.com registered & built
Five days after the LLC, the company’s website is registered and stood up. It markets “Land Patent Research,” quitclaim-deed preparation, “County Auditor Legal Filings,” an “in-house notary,” and a “title insurance bypass” — and includes online-payment pages.
Five days after the LLC, the company’s website is registered and stood up. It markets “Land Patent Research,” quitclaim-deed preparation, “County Auditor Legal Filings,” an “in-house notary,” and a “title insurance bypass” — and includes online-payment pages.
Ingalls & Schermer quitclaim deeds recorded (#4583923, #4583924)
Two more land-patent quitclaims. The County later annotates both in its index as “INVALID DEED.” Schermer’s claims Lot 1 of Section 5, T29N R3E — our area.
Two more land-patent quitclaims. The County later annotates both in its index as “INVALID DEED.” Schermer’s claims Lot 1 of Section 5, T29N R3E — our area.
Supporting notices recorded (#4583965, #4583966)
Ingalls and Schermer each record a supporting notice.
Ingalls and Schermer each record a supporting notice.
“Land grant/patent” declarations recorded (#4585251, #4585252)
Ingalls and Schermer record multi-page declarations asserting a “forever benefit” of the patents.
Ingalls and Schermer record multi-page declarations asserting a “forever benefit” of the patents.
Neighbors notice & the County responds
Paul Neis identifies the filings and alerts neighbors. Island County Sheriff opens fraud case #26-I10572 (Det. Bo Miller). A Legal Action Request is submitted via the Prosecutor (through the Auditor) to quiet the deeds.
Paul Neis identifies the filings and alerts neighbors. Island County Sheriff opens fraud case #26-I10572 (Det. Bo Miller). A Legal Action Request is submitted via the Prosecutor (through the Auditor) to quiet the deeds.
Real harm: honest sales blocked
Title companies decline to insure affected transactions until the clouds are removed. Owner Kathy Kundert, actively selling 4896 Lucy Ln, Langley (Section 4), is directly impacted — a concrete, present example of the damage. See her property summary.
Title companies decline to insure affected transactions until the clouds are removed. Owner Kathy Kundert, actively selling 4896 Lucy Ln, Langley (Section 4), is directly impacted — a concrete, present example of the damage. See her property summary.
Independent documentation assembled
The full county recording index (23,561 instruments) is searched; the actual deed images are pulled and OCR’d; identities are verified against King County property records and the state notary registry; this resource is compiled for owners and counsel.
The full county recording index (23,561 instruments) is searched; the actual deed images are pulled and OCR’d; identities are verified against King County property records and the state notary registry; this resource is compiled for owners and counsel.
Dates are the official Island County recording dates from the Auditor’s index.