Sen. Luján Says DOJ Halted New Mexico Epstein Ranch Probe Despite 'Illegal Acts' Evidence
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D‑N.M., says his review of unredacted Justice Department files shows 'disturbing, disgusting, illegal acts' occurred at Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, and questions why federal prosecutors asked the state to shut down its investigation in 2019 under the first Trump administration. In an interview aired March 17, he said New Mexico is now taking a 'dual approach,' with both the attorney general and the state legislature conducting fresh probes into activity at the property Epstein bought in 1993. Luján argued there was 'no good reason' for DOJ to have intervened to stop state authorities, and suggested New Mexico officials were 'trampled on' to 'protect' high‑powered individuals, though he did not provide names or specific corroborating evidence. The ranch, which some Epstein accusers including the late Virginia Giuffre have said was a site of abuse, was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 and is now owned by Texas Republican Don Huffines, currently running for state comptroller, raising additional political scrutiny. The episode deepens long‑running public suspicion about whether federal law enforcement constrained full investigations into Epstein’s network and who, if anyone, benefitted from the closure of the New Mexico probe.
📌 Key Facts
- Sen. Ben Ray Luján reviewed unredacted DOJ files related to Epstein’s case and says they show 'illegal acts' took place at Zorro Ranch.
- New Mexico’s attorney general and state legislature are both running active investigations into Epstein’s former ranch near Stanley, N.M.
- Federal prosecutors asked New Mexico to halt its Epstein ranch investigation in 2019, during the first Trump administration.
- The ranch was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 to Don Huffines, a Texas Republican who is now the GOP nominee for state comptroller.
- Luján publicly questioned whether the shutdown of the probe was meant to 'protect' powerful individuals, without naming specific people.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 40% of sex trafficking victims in the United States are Black, despite Black individuals comprising only about 14% of the general population.
Changing societal perceptions of sex trafficking in the United States — Global Rights for Women
In Los Angeles County, two-thirds of trafficked youth are Black, though Black people represent only about 7-9% of the population.
Racial & Gender Disparities in the Sex Trade — Rights4Girls
For federal sexual abuse offenders in FY2021, 57.5% were White, 16.1% were Black, 12.1% were Native American, and 10.7% were Hispanic.
Quick Facts on Sexual Abuse Offenses — United States Sentencing Commission
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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