New Mexico Justice Department reaches out to Epstein victims amid new probe

The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) reached out to Epstein survivors in a letter on Tuesday, as it announced the re-opening of a criminal investigation into the deceased sex trafficker's Zorro Ranch property in the state. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez claimed in the letter that the voices of the survivors had been left unheard and that his department was committed to thoroughly investigating the crimes that might have been committed at this property.

According to an ABC report, when Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019, investigators never searched the Zorro Ranch, according to the emails that were released by the U.S. Justice Department earlier this year. While the state of New Mexico began its investigation into the property at the time, it was paused at the request of the Justice Department, as per state AG Torrez. However, things changed last month as details from the released emails came to light.

In the recent letter directed at Epstein survivors, Torrez urged them to share their stories with the investigators to help with the investigation. He added that the state would do everything in its power to protect their privacy and identities. "Your input is essential to conducting this investigation with the rigor, respect, and compassion it deserves. That's why I want to hear directly from you," part of the letter read. Torrez urged survivors to contact Special Counsel Sean Sullivan.

Last month, the New Mexico DOJ released a statement saying that the investigation was reopened as "revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination." "This search is part of the criminal investigation announced by the New Mexico Department of Justice on February 19th into allegations of illegal activity at Epstein's ranch prior to Epstein’s 2019 death," the statement added.

As per the files released by the U.S. Justice Department, there was an unsubstantiated claim from November 2019 made by an anonymous individual, who said that the bodies of two "foreign girls" were buried on the property. The NMDOJ received a request from the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, Stephanie Garcia Richard, in February to investigate the allegations. The ranch was sold in 2023 and is currently owned by Texas businessman and politician Don Huffines.

Last week, AG Torrez acknowledged that there would be obstacles to reopening the investigation. "Epstein has been dead for years. Zorro Ranch has changed ownership. Physical evidence may no longer exist, and the statute of limitations has likely run out on many potential offenses. These are real obstacles, and survivors deserve to hear them stated plainly. But we will follow the evidence wherever it leads and leave no credible question unexplored," he wrote in a column.