New Mexico DOJ Executes Search of Epstein’s Former Zorro Ranch in Renewed Abuse Probe
The New Mexico Department of Justice, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, executed a physical search Monday of Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch — a nearly 10,000‑acre estate with a mansion, guesthouses and private airstrip — after revelations in previously sealed FBI files prompted the probe to be reopened. Investigators, seeking potential evidence and to corroborate alleged victims’ testimony, say the action follows a 2019 closure of the state inquiry at the request of federal prosecutors in New York; the property, bought in 2023 by the family of Texas politician Don Huffines, is cooperating while state legislators have established a separate commission to examine past activities.
📌 Key Facts
- On Monday the New Mexico Department of Justice, with assistance from New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, conducted a physical search of Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch.
- Investigators were specifically searching for potential evidence and attempting to corroborate testimony from alleged victims connected to the ranch.
- The current owners are the family of Don Huffines — a real‑estate developer, former Texas legislator and Trump‑endorsed Republican nominee for Texas comptroller — who bought the property from Epstein’s estate in 2023 (with proceeds going to creditors); the family is cooperating with investigators.
- The New Mexico investigation was originally closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York but has been reopened because revelations outlined in previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.
- New Mexico legislators have established a separate commission to examine past activities at the ranch, a process running parallel to the attorney general’s investigation.
- A New Mexico DOJ spokesperson provided an on‑the‑record statement pledging to keep the public informed, support survivors and 'follow the facts wherever they lead.'
- Epstein was never charged with crimes tied to the New Mexico property; the ranch is nearly 10,000 acres with a mansion, guesthouses and a private airstrip, and has been tied to prior allegations including those in Virginia Giuffre’s memoir and reports about a plan to 'seed the human race.'
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, the poverty rate for Black Americans was 17.9%, for Hispanic Americans 16.9%, for American Indian and Alaska Native 21.7%, for Asian Americans 9.5%, and for non-Hispanic White Americans 9.5%; population percentages are approximately 13.6% Black, 19.1% Hispanic, 1.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 6.3% Asian, and 58.9% non-Hispanic White.
Poverty in the United States: 2023 — U.S. Census Bureau
Among identified sex traffickers of minors in the US from a six-year analysis, 71.7% were African American (population ~13.6%), 20.5% Caucasian (population ~58.9%), with per capita rates indicating overrepresentation for African Americans.
Child & Minor Sex Trafficking Statistics — McCain Institute
In New Mexico, 42% of sex trafficking victims with known recruitment methods were brought into trafficking by a member of their own families, often linked to socioeconomic pressures.
Human Trafficking in New Mexico — NM Dream Center
Children with a history of foster care involvement are at significantly higher risk of sex trafficking victimization, with studies estimating 50-60% of recovered child victims having such a background.
37+ Foster Care and Human Trafficking Statistics — Human Trafficking Search
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that authorities searched the Zorro Ranch estate on Monday, not just that a search was planned.
- Details that investigators were specifically looking for potential evidence and attempting to corroborate testimony from alleged victims connected to the ranch.
- Names the current owners as the family of Don Huffines, a real estate developer, former Texas legislator and now Trump-endorsed Republican nominee for Texas comptroller, and notes they are cooperating with investigators.
- Provides a fresh, on-the-record statement from a New Mexico DOJ spokesperson pledging to keep the public informed, support survivors and "follow the facts wherever they lead."
- Reiterates that Epstein was never charged with crimes related to the New Mexico property and notes the ranch’s scale (nearly 10,000 acres, with mansion, guesthouses and private airstrip) and prior allegations and claims tied to it, including Virginia Giuffre’s memoir and the reported 'seed the human race' plan.
- Confirms that a physical search of the former Zorro Ranch began Monday, led by the New Mexico Department of Justice with assistance from New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office.
- Clarifies that the current owners are the family of Texas Republican politician Don Huffines, who bought the property from Epstein’s estate in 2023, with proceeds going to creditors.
- Reiterates that the original New Mexico investigation was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, but has now been reopened because 'revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.'
- Notes that New Mexico legislators have established a new commission to examine past activities at the ranch, parallel to the AG’s investigation.