Lawmakers in New Mexico on Tuesday announced the launch of an investigation into activities that allegedly took place at a remote desert ranch once owned by disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including whether local authorities ignored potential wrongdoing.
A bipartisan panel of four members from the state House of Representatives has formed a “truth commission” to examine claims that the ranch was used to facilitate sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Legislators also aim to determine why Epstein was not listed as a sex offender in New Mexico after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and whether any public officials were involved in misconduct.
Democratic state Rep. Marianna Anaya of Albuquerque, who serves on the commission, called on potential witnesses to come forward with information about alleged abuse linked to Epstein and others who may have enabled him.
“No one could operate a sex ring or commit financial crimes of this scale alone,” Anaya said at a news conference. “If there were enablers — including the state itself — they must be held accountable.” She assured that anyone sharing information would be granted confidentiality.
Recent disclosures of connections to Epstein have led to resignations and removals of several prominent figures.
Epstein bought the expansive Zorro Ranch in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and later constructed a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion with a private airstrip.
The property was sold in 2023 by Epstein’s estate, with proceeds directed to creditors, to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate for Texas state comptroller. Huffines said in a post on X that the estate has been renamed San Rafael Ranch and will operate as a Christian retreat. He added that his family would fully cooperate with any law enforcement requests for access.
Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of underage girls.
Truth commission chair and state Rep. Andrea Romero of Santa Fe said multiple survivors have indicated that trafficking activities extended to the ranch, located about 35 miles south of Santa Fe.
“For years, there have been allegations and rumors about what happened here, but federal investigations have not produced a comprehensive public record,” Romero said. “This commission aims to uncover the missing details.”
Other members of the panel include Republican state Rep. William Hall, a retired FBI agent from Aztec, and Rep. Andrea Reeb of Clovis, a former district attorney. The state House voted unanimously on Monday to establish the commission, granting it subpoena power and a budget exceeding $2 million.
Although Epstein was never charged in New Mexico, the state attorney general’s office confirmed in 2019 that it had interviewed potential victims connected to the ranch.
In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered a review of financial institutions used by Epstein and their compliance obligations. The probe resulted in agreements with two banks to allocate $17 million toward anti-human trafficking efforts, according to a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office.