New Mexico to Investigate Epstein's Zorro Ranch

State lawmakers plan to visit the property 'sooner rather than later' as part of a new probe into alleged atrocities.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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New Mexico lawmakers expect to gain access to Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch 'sooner rather than later' as part of the first‑ever on‑site investigation into alleged atrocities committed there. The sprawling 7,500-acre-plus Santa Fe ranch, now owned by self-described MAGA Republican Don Huffines and renamed San Rafael Ranch, is set to be investigated by a nonpartisan New Mexico House of Representatives-led panel.

Why it matters

Civil lawsuits and court filings have named Zorro Ranch as a site of abuse, and two of the four victims who testified at Ghislaine Maxwell's federal sex‑trafficking trial said they were assaulted there. The renewed focus on the property follows the launch of New Mexico's 'Epstein Truth Commission,' a four‑member House panel established to investigate allegations of abuse and trafficking linked to the late financier's vast property outside Santa Fe.

The details

The commission, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, is expected to scrutinize all available evidence regardless of political affiliation. It does not have the power to bring criminal charges, and statutes of limitation may prevent some cases from being prosecuted. Its role is to establish an official public record and identify gaps in the law that lawmakers could later seek to change.

  • The Truth Commission held its first official meeting on Tuesday, formally beginning its work and outlining next steps for gathering testimony, documents, and public records.
  • The commission plans to pursue access to the former Zorro Ranch and other locations of interest, working alongside the New Mexico Department of Justice and using subpoenas where cooperation is not forthcoming.

The players

Andrea Romero

Democratic state Representative who sponsored the legislation and is leading the Epstein Truth Commission effort.

Don Huffines

Self-described MAGA Republican who purchased the Zorro Ranch property four years after Epstein's death and renamed it San Rafael Ranch.

Hector Balderas

Former New Mexico Attorney General who investigated Epstein and Maxwell's Zorro Ranch activities before federal prosecutors asked the state to halt its inquiry.

Melanie Stansbury

Democratic U.S. Representative who serves on the federal committee that has released documents from the 2019 federal sex‑trafficking case against Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“This is so terrifying that this happened in our community, and so for us to have an official record about what occurred will provide us with the tools and resources of justice that will help us thoroughly investigate what went on.”

— Andrea Romero, Democratic state Representative (Newsweek)

“New Mexico is taking action where the federal government has thus far failed to follow up. It is a structured process through which survivors can come forward, witnesses can come forward, we can uncover a full picture of what happened and why the justice system has failed survivors in our state…This is what the U.S. DOJ should be doing in every single case at the federal level.”

— Melanie Stansbury, Democratic U.S. Representative (Newsweek)

“Our office investigated activity that occurred in New Mexico that was still viable for prosecution, including contact with multiple victims. During that time, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York asked that we pause any further state investigation or prosecution of activity related to Epstein, as they communicated to us that they were leading an active multi-jurisdictional prosecution.”

— Hector Balderas, Former New Mexico Attorney General (Source NM)

What’s next

The commission plans to pursue access to the former Zorro Ranch and other locations of interest, working alongside the New Mexico Department of Justice and using subpoenas where cooperation is not forthcoming.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover the full truth about the alleged atrocities that occurred at Epstein's Zorro Ranch property in New Mexico, and the challenges in holding perpetrators accountable due to statutes of limitation and jurisdictional issues. The new state-led investigation aims to establish an official public record and identify potential changes to state laws that could allow survivors to seek justice.