New Mexico reopens criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch

New Mexico reopens Epstein ranch investigation

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced on Thursday that the state has reopened an investigation into possible illegal activity at the Zorro Ranch, a property formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. The decision is based on new information contained in recently released federal documents.

More than 3.5 million government files related to Epstein were published online by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30. Torrez's office stated that "revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination" of the ranch.

A previous probe was shut down

New Mexico had previously investigated the Zorro Ranch, located near Stanley, but ended that probe in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York. That was the same year Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.

Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, a death ruled a suicide by medical examiners. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in his crimes.

Arrest of UK's ex-prince renews pressure

The New Mexico announcement came hours after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the UK's former prince, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest is connected to allegations he sent confidential government documents to Epstein.

This development has renewed calls for accountability for U.S. figures involved with Epstein. Critics have long questioned how Epstein's influential social circle, which included past associations with figures like Donald Trump, may have shielded him.

• Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
• He served only 13 months under a widely criticized plea deal.
• The U.S. Justice Department maintains it has found no evidence of criminal conduct beyond the charges against Epstein and Maxwell.

State lawmakers launch a truth commission

Pressure has been building in New Mexico to fully investigate Epstein's ties to the state. A four-member legislative truth commission held its first meeting this week to probe the Zorro Ranch.

The panel is specifically tasked with investigating allegations that the ranch was a site of sexual abuse and trafficking. Lawmakers are also demanding to know why Epstein was never registered as a sex offender in New Mexico following his 2008 Florida conviction.

Attorney General Torrez's office said it will cooperate with the commission and seek access to the complete, unredacted federal case files. "We will follow the facts wherever they lead," the office stated.

The history of the Zorro Ranch property

Jeffrey Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch, a 26,690-square-foot property, in 1993 from then-Democratic Governor Bruce King. The estate was sold by Epstein's estate in 2023.

The renewed investigation will now examine what activities may have occurred there, guided by the millions of pages of new evidence from federal authorities.