New Mexico Launches Probes into Alleged Abuse at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

New Mexico has launched two parallel inquiries into alleged sexual abuse at the Zorro Ranch, a 10,000-acre high-desert estate once owned by sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In February, the state attorney general’s office reopened a 2019 probe at the request of New York federal prosecutors. The state House unanimously created a bipartisan Truth Commission to examine systemic factors that may have drawn Epstein to the state and to assess possible cover-ups.

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The Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe includes a mansion, an airstrip, and 10,000 acres of scrubland. Officials have reported rumors of crimes, including alleged burial sites, and court filings cite early abuse accusations at the property. A 2019 probe was closed after New York prosecutors requested it. The new Truth Commission, chaired by Democratic Rep. Andrea Romero and joined by Republican Rep. Andrea Reeb, is funded with $2 million from settlements New Mexico reached with a bank that did business with Epstein. Stakeholders include the attorney general’s office, the commission, and survivor advocate Sky Roberts—brother of the late accuser Virginia Giuffre.

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• March 2024 – Hundreds of protesters, including Sky Roberts, gathered at the ranch on International Women’s Day.

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• February 2024 – Attorney general’s office reopened the 2019 probe; the state House approved the Truth Commission and a K-9 search was conducted.

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• July 31 2024 – The commission will release its initial report.

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Commission chair Andrea Romero said the body will subpoena witnesses, compel testimony, and has already received a “flood of tips” naming former ranch employees and possible co-conspirators. Rep. Andrea Reeb stressed bipartisan political will, noting that “everybody wants to know the truth.” The attorney general’s office highlighted the use of search-and-rescue dogs to locate potential evidence on the 10,000-acre site.

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• “This is what we need to see more of state by state. I think New Mexico is taking the first initiative. I think the people of New Mexico are demanding answers, they're demanding justice,” — Sky Roberts, activist.

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• “I think everybody wants to know what happened, and everybody, of course, has sympathy for the survivors and the victims that aren't around anymore," Reeb said.” — Andrea Reeb, Republican state Representative.

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The Truth Commission will continue gathering testimony, exercise its subpoena power, and issue its first report on July 31. The attorney general’s office will keep the reopened investigation active, including further examination of any evidence uncovered during the K-9 search.

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