New Mexico has reopened a criminal investigation into activities at the Zorro Ranch, once owned by the late Jeffrey Epstein, following allegations of potential criminal activity contained within recently released Justice Department files. The probe centers on an unconfirmed claim that Epstein ordered the burial of two foreign-born girls near the remote property, a claim that surfaced in a 2019 email.
The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDJ) announced Wednesday We see seeking an unredacted copy of the 2019 email from the U.S. Department of Justice. Lauren Rodriguez, spokesperson for the NMDJ, stated the agency is “actively investigating this allegation and is conducting a broader review in light of the latest release from the U.S. Department of Justice.” The FBI declined to comment on the matter.
The Zorro Ranch, located south of Santa Fe, has been the subject of scrutiny since Epstein’s arrest in 2019. The renewed investigation comes as New Mexico legislators established a “truth commission” this week tasked with investigating allegations that the ranch may have been used to facilitate sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The commission is intended to work alongside the NMDJ’s investigation, according to state Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who stated his office will take a “broad and comprehensive” look at the ranch.
The allegations extend beyond the potential burial of remains. State legislator Andrea Romero of Santa Fe indicated that reports dating back to 2019, or earlier, suggested the possibility of bodies being buried on the property and individuals being trafficked. These reports reportedly predate Epstein’s death in a Manhattan jail in 2019, and before any charges were filed against him in New Mexico.
The renewed interest in the Zorro Ranch also brings to light Epstein’s broader ambitions for the property. Documents have revealed Epstein harbored what has been described as a eugenicist vision for the ranch, aiming to populate the planet with children bearing his genes. This aspect of the case adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations.
The initial New Mexico investigation into the ranch was shelved in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, who were then leading the primary case against Epstein. However, the release of new documents and the establishment of the state’s truth commission have prompted a reassessment of the situation.
The timing of this renewed investigation is notable, coming after a tranche of Epstein-related files were released to the public. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has also requested an unredacted copy of the email containing the allegations regarding the buried bodies, signaling a continued federal interest in the matter.
While the allegations remain unconfirmed, the reopening of the investigation underscores the enduring scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s activities and the potential for further revelations about the scope of his crimes and the network of individuals connected to him. The NMDJ’s pursuit of unredacted documents suggests a determination to fully understand the extent of any illegal activity that may have occurred at the Zorro Ranch.
The establishment of the bipartisan, four-member truth commission further demonstrates New Mexico’s commitment to uncovering the truth about Epstein’s operations within the state. The commission’s mandate to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and sex trafficking suggests a broad scope of inquiry that could extend beyond the immediate allegations of buried remains.
