New Mexico reopens criminal inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch
#Jeffrey Epstein#Zorro Ranch#New Mexico#Criminal Investigation#Sex Trafficking#Truth Commission#Justice Department Files
📌 Key Takeaways
New Mexico has reopened a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch based on new evidence in recently released justice department files
State prosecutors will seek unredacted Epstein files and work with a bipartisan truth commission investigating allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and potential body burials at the property
The investigation follows a 2019 email alleging Epstein ordered the burial of two foreign girls at the ranch, with federal officials also seeking access to this document
Epstein owned the sprawling New Mexico property from 1993 until his death in 2019, though he never faced charges in the state despite previous victim interviews
📖 Full Retelling
New Mexico state prosecutors, led by Attorney General Raúl Torrez, have reopened a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch following new revelations in justice department files that warrant further examination, after the initial probe was closed in 2019. State officials announced they would seek full access to unredacted Epstein files held by federal investigators in Washington DC and collaborate with a bipartisan Epstein truth commission established this week by state legislators to investigate allegations that the ranch facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The commission, comprised of four members including state legislator Andrea Romero of Santa Fe, is examining disturbing reports that may include allegations of bodies being buried at the property and potential trafficking activities reported to the FBI as early as 2019.
The decision to reopen the investigation comes after the recent release of millions of documents by the US justice department, which contain thousands of references to the Zorro Ranch. Among the new evidence is a 2019 email from an anonymous source alleging Epstein had ordered the bodies of two foreign girls to be buried outside the ranch, prompting US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to request an unredacted copy of the communication. Lawmakers on the commission are also investigating why Epstein failed to register as a sex offender in New Mexico despite having pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008. While Epstein faced no charges in New Mexico during his lifetime, prosecutors had interviewed possible victims who visited the property in 2019.
The Zorro Ranch, located south of Santa Fe, is a sprawling property featuring a 21,000sq ft mansion on a hilltop overlooking nearly 10,000 acres of desert, complete with a private airstrip and helipad. Epstein purchased the property in 1993 from former New Mexico Governor Bruce King and leased approximately 1,250 acres of state lands around the ranch that same year, though the New Mexico State Land Commission canceled these leases in September 2019 after determining Epstein was using the land as a privacy buffer rather than for legitimate ranching purposes. The property is now owned by former Texas state Senator Don Huffines, who purchased it from the Epstein estate in 2023 with proceeds reportedly going to Epstein's victims. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez has described the isolated, beautiful landscape as the site of "horrible things" that occurred during Epstein's ownership, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the activities allegedly taking place at the remote location.
🏷️ Themes
Criminal Investigation, Sex Trafficking, Government Accountability
American financier and child sex offender (1953–2019)
# Jeffrey Edward Epstein
**Jeffrey Edward Epstein** (January 20, 1953 – August 10, 2019) was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He is notorious for orchestrating a massive human trafficking ring, procuring at least 1,000 underage girls and young women for sexual exploitation by himse...
Sex trafficking is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Perpetrators of the crime are called sex traffickers or sometimes pimps—people who manipulate victims to engage in various forms of commercial sex with paying customers. Sex traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion as the...
Criminal investigation is an applied science that involves the study of facts that are then used to inform criminal trials. A complete criminal investigation can include searching, interviews, interrogations, evidence collection and preservation, and various methods of investigation. Modern-day crim...
Rancho de San Rafael, formerly known as Zorro Ranch, is a large private property located near Stanley, New Mexico, United States, about 30 miles southeast of Santa Fe. It was owned by the financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from the early 1990s until his death in 2019, then by the estat...
New Mexico is a landlocked state in the Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also borders the state of Texas to the east and southeast, Oklahoma to the northeas...
New Mexico's reopening of the probe into Epstein's Zorro Ranch underscores the state's commitment to justice and transparency. It signals a renewed focus on uncovering potential abuse and trafficking linked to the former financier.
Context & Background
Epstein owned the ranch from 1993 and allegedly used it for illicit activities.
The state had shelved the investigation in 2019 after federal request.
A truth commission was established to investigate allegations of abuse and trafficking and to provide a comprehensive review of related evidence.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors will seek unredacted files and collaborate with the truth commission. The investigation may lead to new charges or civil actions against parties involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Epstein truth commission?
To investigate allegations that Zorro Ranch facilitated sexual abuse and trafficking and to provide a comprehensive review of related evidence.
Why was the original investigation shelved in 2019?
Federal prosecutors in New York requested the state to pause the probe, and no charges had been filed in New Mexico at that time.
Who currently owns Zorro Ranch?
Former Texas state Senator Don Huffines purchased the property in 2023 from the Epstein estate.
Original Source
New Mexico reopens criminal inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch 2 hours ago Share Save Nardine Saad Share Save The US state of New Mexico will reopen a criminal probe into a ranch once owned by Jeffrey Epstein, following allegations that surfaced in justice department files on the convicted sex offender. State prosecutors said they would seek full access to unredacted Epstein files relating to the Zorro Ranch, held by federal investigators in Washington DC. They also pledged to work with a so-called Epstein truth commission set up this week in the state. New Mexico shelved its initial investigation into the ranch in 2019 upon request from federal prosecutors in New York. Epstein, who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019, faced no charges in New Mexico. Attorney General Raúl Torrez said on X that his office "will take a broad and comprehensive" look at the Zorro Ranch. He said they would work with an Epstein truth commission, set up by state legislators on Tuesday. The bipartisan, four-member panel is investigating allegations that the ranch might have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Andrew released under investigation after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office 'Who's next?' - American lawmakers call for 'justice' in the US after Andrew arrest Who is in the Epstein files? One of the state legislators on the panel, Andrea Romero of Santa Fe, told the BBC: "We are learning that there may have been reports to the FBI, back in 2019 or prior to, of bodies being buried, of folks being trafficked." On Wednesday, the state said it was investigating a 2019 email from the recently released tranche of files that alleged Epstein had ordered the bodies of two foreign girls be buried outside the ranch, Reuters news agency reported. US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said last week he was seeking an unredacted copy of the email, which came from an anonymous sender. Lawmakers on the commission also want to know why Epstein did not register as a se...
