Attorney General Raul Torrez of New Mexico has officially announced the reopening of a state investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch, vowing to pursue the facts relentlessly wherever they may lead. This decision comes in response to alarming new information uncovered in the recently unsealed Epstein files, which have prompted fresh scrutiny of the sprawling property.
Background and Initial Closure
The original New Mexico probe into activities at the Zorro Ranch was closed back in 2019, following a request from federal prosecutors in New York who were handling the broader Epstein case at that time. However, state prosecutors have now determined that the revelations contained within the previously sealed FBI documents necessitate a thorough re-examination of the ranch's history.
Gruesome Claims and Anonymous Tips
Among the most disturbing allegations to emerge from the latest file release is an anonymous email suggesting that two foreign girls were killed during fetish sex activities and subsequently buried in the hills surrounding the ranch. While it remains unclear whether this specific claim directly triggered the decision to reopen the investigation, it has undoubtedly added urgency to the probe.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has stated that special agents and prosecutors will immediately seek access to the complete, unredacted federal case file. They also plan to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and a newly established state truth commission, which is tasked with investigating potential sexual abuse and sex trafficking linked to the ranch.
Historical Context and Previous Inquiries
Although Jeffrey Epstein never faced formal charges in New Mexico, state prosecutors confirmed in 2019 that they had interviewed possible victims who had visited the ranch located south of Santa Fe. The exact number of accusers interviewed and the specific details of their allegations were never publicly disclosed, leaving many questions unanswered.
Truth Commission and Legislative Oversight
On Tuesday, New Mexico's bipartisan truth commission held its inaugural meeting. This four-member panel, composed of state House representatives, is charged with investigating allegations that the Zorro Ranch may have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Additionally, lawmakers are seeking answers as to why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, and whether any public officials were involved in corruption related to the case.
Property Details and Current Ownership
Epstein originally purchased the extensive Zorro Ranch in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King. The property featured a hilltop mansion, a private airstrip with a hangar and helipad, a ranch office, a firehouse, and a seven-bay heated garage. Following Epstein's death, his estate sold the ranch in 2023 to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate for state comptroller in Texas, with the proceeds directed toward creditors.
In a social media post, Huffines announced that the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch, after a saint associated with healing, and that his family intends to operate a Christian retreat there. A spokesperson for Huffines has affirmed that the owners have not yet been approached by law enforcement regarding access to the ranch but have pledged full cooperation if such requests are made.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The New Mexico Department of Justice emphasized in a statement that they will meticulously follow the facts, evaluate jurisdictional considerations, and take appropriate investigative actions, including the collection and preservation of any remaining evidence. With thousands of references to the ranch in the released federal documents, the reopened probe aims to uncover the full extent of any illegal activities that may have occurred on the premises during Epstein's ownership.
