New Mexico to reopen inquiry into Epstein’s ranch amid pressure campaign | Jeffrey Epstein
New Mexico will reopen its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro ranch in the state, following a public pressure campaign for more complete disclosure of his role in the sex trafficking conspiracy.
The New Mexico Department of Justice’s announcement comes less than two weeks after the Guardian reported that federal agents never searched the Zorro Ranch.
The Guardian’s report also revealed that there was no active criminal investigation into Zorro Farm at the time.
The New Mexico Department of Justice said at the time that it was working with lawmakers to launch what it envisioned as a truth commission. This commission was given the green light a few days ago.
“After reviewing information recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Attorney General Raúl Torrez has ordered the reopening of the criminal investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch,” the New Mexico justice department said. published online on Thursday.
The department said it closed its previous investigation in 2019 at the request of New York federal prosecutors, who conducted the second investigation that led to Epstein’s arrest in the sex trafficking scheme.
The department said that “the disclosures set forth in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further review” and that “special agents and prosecutors with the New Mexico Department of Justice will seek immediate access to the complete, unredacted federal case file.”
Earlier this week, the New Mexico state legislature approved the creation of an Epstein “truth commission” to examine what happened at the 7,560-acre ranch, which was never searched at the time. It is tasked with submitting a full report by the end of the year.
The Zorro ranch was one of several properties where the sex trafficking conspiracy was carried out. Some accusers claimed the farm was the site of sex trafficking.
The New Mexico state justice department said the renewed investigation will “pursue the facts wherever they lead, carefully consider jurisdictional considerations, and take appropriate investigative action, including the collection and preservation of all available relevant evidence.”
New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham welcomed both investigative moves that could lead to greater accountability for Epstein’s victims.
“This is a legislature that is not afraid to take on tough issues that we need so much more of.” [US justice department] I work here, no less,” Lujan Grisham said.
Numerous women have publicly said that Epstein abused them as teenage girls or young adults at Zorro Ranch.
Jane, the first accuser to take the stand in the sex trafficking case of Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, said she traveled with them to New York City and New Mexico.
“Once upon a time, someone came to my mind [my] “He said, ‘Jeffrey wants to see you,’ and then he accompanied me to see him,” she testified. “I felt my heart sink into my stomach, like always, you know.
“I didn’t want to go see him,” recalled Jane, who said she was 15 or 16 at the time. “I just remember being taken to the bedroom and, you know, the same thing would happen.”
The fourth accuser, Annie Farmer, who testified at Maxwell’s trial, said the disgraced socialite gave her a nude massage at Zorro when she was 16.
Farmer told jurors that the morning after that massage, Epstein climbed into her bed and said he “wanted a hug.” Farmer told jurors he “felt a little frozen.”
“He pressed his body against me,” Farmer said. Farmer testified that he told Epstein he needed to go to the bathroom to escape.
Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent accusers of Epstein, said she was abused at Zorro Ranch. Giuffre, who died by suicide last spring, said Epstein trafficked her to have sex with high-profile men at the ranch.
