Full Breakdown
New Mexico Investigates Local Abuse Claims at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
4/28/2026, 6:07:52 AM
Investigation and Context
State officials have reopened a probe into how many New Mexico women and girls were abused at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County. The February inquiry follows the DOJ’s release of millions of Epstein-related files and seeks possible criminal charges against co-conspirators. Owned for a quarter-century, Zorro Ranch was linked to grooming of teenage girls at Epstein’s New York and Palm Beach homes, though local victim evidence has been limited.
Key Actors
Representative Marianna Anaya, co-sponsor of the state Truth Commission, leads the legislative response; the commission works with the New Mexico Department of Justice to assess viable cases. Solace Sexual Assault Services, the region’s sole survivor-support center, is headed by Maria Jose Rodriguez Cadiz, and the Santa Fe Police Special Victims Unit shares facilities with Solace.
Survivor Outreach and Data
Several individuals have reported being flown to Zorro Ranch and abused there; only former Santa Fe massage therapist Rachel Benavidez had been publicly identified before the current outreach. In 2019, Solace recorded 45 inquiries linked to the ranch, with Rodriguez Cadiz estimating 25-50 % involved women alleging abuse. None of those callers filed police reports. Nationally, 24 % of sexual assaults were reported to police in 2024 (U.S. DOJ).
Official Statements
Anaya confirmed the Truth Commission has been contacted by local alleged victims and is coordinating with the Department of Justice to evaluate criminal prospects against Epstein’s associates. Rodriguez Cadiz noted a post-#MeToo surge in outreach, limited record-keeping, and that the lack of police filings reflects broader reporting challenges.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Exact victim counts remain uncertain because Solace lacks detailed records. An email from a self-identified former ranch employee alleges two girls’ bodies were buried nearby, a claim not independently verified. No formal police complaints have been lodged, creating a gap between survivor outreach and law-enforcement action.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I can confirm that we have been reached out to by local alleged victims,” — Marianna Anaya, New Mexico Representative
- “The Truth Commission is working with the New Mexico Department of Justice to help survivors who may have viable criminal cases bring charges against Epstein co-conspirators, Anaya added.” — Marianna Anaya
- “Dozens of people who were in need of information or direct services related to the Epstein-ring sex trafficking crimes were coming forward,” — Maria Jose Rodriguez Cadiz, head of Solace Sexual Assault Services
- “She said none of the women who approached the center in 2019 filed police complaints at that time.” — Maria Jose Rodriguez Cadiz
Next Steps
The Truth Commission will continue reviewing DOJ files, interview additional claimants, and decide whether criminal charges can be filed against identified co-conspirators. Coordination with the Santa Fe Police Special Victims Unit may lead to formal reporting, while Solace plans to improve documentation of survivor contacts.
