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New Mexico to open probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch
–SO WE CAN LET YOU KNOW– WHEN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS– ARE EXPECTED IN YOUR AREA. A STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE –STARTED ITS WORK– LOOKING INTO JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S TIES –TO NEW MEXICO. THE EPSTEIN TRUTH COMMITTEE –WILL INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS– OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY– AND PUBLIC CORRUPTION– TIED TO THE– FORMER ZORRO RANCH– ONCE OWNED B–Y THE CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER PEYTON SPELLACY WAS AT TODAY’S MEETING– AND JOINS US– FROM THE ROUNDHOUSE. <THE HOUSE VOTED TO CREATE THIS COMMITTEE JUST ON MONDAY. WHILE TODAY’S MEETING WAS SHORT, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR… THIS S FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR SURVIVORS. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S TRUE AND WHAT’S NOT. COMMITTEE CHAIR ANDREA ROMERO ASKING HERSELF IF CRIME AND ALLEGED ABUSE HAS BEEN WELL REPORTED IN NEW YORK, FLORIDA, EVEN EPSTEIN ISLAND, THEN WHY DON’T WE HAVE THE FULL EXTENT OF WHAT HAPPENED AT ZORRO RANCH? IT’S ALARMING TO ME THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN PUT IN A PUBLIC RECORD, NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ACCOUNT IN A COURT OF LAW WITH A $2 MILLION BUDGET. THE GROUP WILL CREATE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF LEGAL EXPERTS, INVESTIGATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF THEIR JOB TO REVIEW EVIDENCE, CONDUCT INTERVIEWS, AND ANALYZE NEW FINDINGS. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, OF COURSE, IS IDENTIFYING ANY POTENTIAL VICTIMS THAT ARE OUT THERE. I THINK OUR DEADLINE IS THE LAST DAY OF DECEMBER FOR SOME OF THE REPORTING, SO WE NEED TO GET THIS ROLLING AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. ANOTHER TASK OF THE COMMITTEE INTRODUCING ANY LEGISLATION TO PREVENT AND PUNISH CRIMES AND TO PROTECT CHILDREN. I’M NOT A BIG ADVOCATE OF NEW LEGISLATION, BUT I WILL TELL YOU, IF THERE’S LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE IN THIS STATE. ABSOLUTELY. PLUS, LOOKING TO IDENTIFY THE LOOPHOLES THAT MAY HAVE LET EPSTEIN SLIP PAST THE STATE’S LEGAL SYSTEM. SO OUR LAWS, FOR INSTANCE, ALLOWED HIM TO COME TO NEW MEXICO WITHOUT REGISTERING AS A SEX OFFENDER, AS HE HAD TO IN FLORIDA. NOW, WE DON’T KNOW WHEN THIS COMMITTEE WILL MEET NEXT, BUT MEMBERS DO SAY THAT THEY WANT TO LAUNCH A WEBSITE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN TRACK THEIR FINDINGS, AS WELL AS A TIP LINE FOR ANYON
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New Mexico to open probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch
The New Mexico Department of Justice is reopening an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch. According to the New Mexico Department of Justice, the criminal investigation into allegations of illegal activity at the ranch will be reopened. The state had a prior investigation that was closed in 2019. The NMDOJ says the investigation closed in 2019 came at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. NMDOJ officials say revelations found in previously sealed FBI documents warrant further examination. The department says special agents and prosecutors will be seeking complete and unredacted case files. The department will also work collaboratively with law enforcement partners and the newly formed legislative “Epstein Truth Commission” on the probe. New Mexico lawmakers also said they want to know why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and whether there was corruption among public officials.Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion with a private runway.The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate in Texas for election to the office of state comptroller. In a social media post on X, Huffines said the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch after a saint associated with healing and that his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there.The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The New Mexico Department of Justice is reopening an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch.
According to the New Mexico Department of Justice, the criminal investigation into allegations of illegal activity at the ranch will be reopened. The state had a prior investigation that was closed in 2019.
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The NMDOJ says the investigation closed in 2019 came at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
NMDOJ officials say revelations found in previously sealed FBI documents warrant further examination.
The department says special agents and prosecutors will be seeking complete and unredacted case files. The department will also work collaboratively with law enforcement partners and the newly formed legislative “Epstein Truth Commission” on the probe.
New Mexico lawmakers also said they want to know why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and whether there was corruption among public officials.
Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion with a private runway.
The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate in Texas for election to the office of state comptroller. In a social media post on X, Huffines said the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch after a saint associated with healing and that his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
