Reopening of Criminal Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico
The New Mexico Attorney General has ordered the reopening of a criminal investigation into alleged illegal activities at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. The decision was made following the release of previously sealed FBI files that raised concerns. The New Mexico Department of Justice will be working with law enforcement partners and the Epstein Truth Commission to further examine the case.
The State of New Mexico had previously closed an investigation into criminal activities at Zorro Ranch in 2019 at the request of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Allegations of sexual assault, trafficking, and criminal behavior involving prominent figures like former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson have been reported. Richardson denied any involvement in Epstein's sex-trafficking ring before his death in 2023.
A recent email from the DOJ mentioned that a former Zorro Ranch staffer may have information about two women who were allegedly killed and buried at the ranch. The NMDOJ's investigation coincides with the establishment of the Epstein Truth Commission by New Mexico lawmakers. The bipartisan subcommittee aims to investigate whether state officials properly handled the allegations of criminal activity at Zorro Ranch.
The convicted sex offender's former ranch, spanning 8,000 acres in Stanley, New Mexico, was sold in 2023 to Texas businessman and politician Don Huffines. Huffines plans to convert the ranch into a religious retreat center and has expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities for any investigation. As of now, no law enforcement agency has contacted him for access to the ranch.
In conclusion, the reopening of the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico has sparked renewed interest in the case. The collaboration between the New Mexico Department of Justice, law enforcement partners, and the Epstein Truth Commission aims to shed light on the alleged illegal activities that took place at the ranch. The upcoming investigations and reports will provide further insights into the matter.