New Mexico Reopens Investigation Into Alleged Illegal Activity At Epstein's Former Zorro Ranch

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico’s lawyer wide has reopened an investigation into allegations of forbidden activity astatine Jeffrey Epstein ’s erstwhile Zorro Ranch.

Atty. Gen. Raúl Torrez’s agency made nan announcement Thursday, saying nan determination was made aft reviewing accusation precocious released by nan U.S. Department of Justice.

Although New Mexico’s first lawsuit was closed successful 2019 astatine nan petition of national prosecutors successful New York, authorities prosecutors opportunity now that “revelations outlined successful nan antecedently sealed FBI files warrant further examination.”

The New Mexico Department of Justice said typical agents and prosecutors astatine nan agency will beryllium seeking contiguous entree to nan complete, unredacted national lawsuit record and intend to activity pinch different rule enforcement partners arsenic good arsenic a caller truth committee established by authorities lawmakers to look into activities astatine nan ranch.

“As pinch immoderate imaginable criminal matter, we will travel nan facts wherever they lead, cautiously measure jurisdictional considerations, and return due investigative action, including nan postulation and preservation of immoderate applicable grounds that remains available,” nan New Mexico Department of Justice said successful a statement.

Renewed efforts to analyse nan activity trafficking allegations

While Epstein ne'er faced charges successful New Mexico, authorities prosecutors confirmed successful 2019 that they had interviewed imaginable victims who visited nan ranch southbound of Santa Fe. They ne'er elaborated connected really galore accusers were interviewed aliases what they opportunity took spot astatine nan ranch.

The New Mexico Department of Justice did not instantly respond to emailed questions astir why authorities prosecutors were aked to adjacent nan investigation successful 2019 aliases whether location were circumstantial allegations elaborate wrong nan caller filings that were released that prompted reopening nan investigation.

On Tuesday, New Mexico’s truth committee had its first meeting. The bipartisan, four-member sheet of authorities House representatives is charged pinch investigating allegations that nan ranch whitethorn person facilitated intersexual maltreatment and activity trafficking.

New Mexico lawmakers besides said they want to cognize why Epstein was not registered arsenic a activity offender aft pleading blameworthy successful 2008 to soliciting adultery from an underage woman and whether location was corruption among nationalist officials.

Property is nether caller ownership

Epstein purchased nan sprawling Zorro Ranch successful New Mexico successful 1993 from erstwhile Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a hilltop mansion. Nearby was a backstage airstrip pinch a hangar and helipad. The spot besides included a ranch office, a firehouse and a seven-bay heated garage.

The spot was sold by Epstein’s property successful 2023 — pinch proceeds going toward creditors — to nan family of Don Huffines, a Republican moving for authorities comptroller successful Texas. In a societal media station connected X, Huffines said nan spot has been renamed San Rafael Ranch aft a saint associated pinch treatment and that his family plans to run a Christian retreat there.

A spokesperson for Huffines has said that nan owners person ne'er been approached by local, authorities aliases national rule enforcement requesting entree to nan ranch and if they do, afloat practice will beryllium granted.

Ranch appears galore times successful released documents

There are thousands of references to nan ranch successful nan documents released by national authorities.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, was among nan guests to person visited nan ranch erstwhile Epstein owned it. Following 1 of nan early investigations into nan disgraced financier, Richardson donated $50,000 successful 2006 gubernatorial run contributions from Epstein to charity.

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard successful 2019 canceled grazing leases held by nan ranch aft her agency was denied entree to inspect nan astir 2 quadrate miles of leased authorities land.

Garcia Richard successful a missive sent past week called connected national authorities and authorities prosecutors to guarantee a thorough criminal investigation into allegations related to nan ranch. She called nan allegations included successful nan latest documents “deeply disturbing.”

“People merit to cognize nan truth astir what happened connected Epstein’s ranch and are looking to leaders for answers,” she said successful a statement.

Bryan writes for nan Associated Press. AP writer Sean Murphy successful Oklahoma City contributed to this report.