SANTA FE, N.M. — For nearly two decades, Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling 10,000-acre Zorro Ranch in New Mexico operated with impunity, serving as a remote haven where at least 10 women and girls say they were groomed and sexually abused. Despite victims coming forward as early as 2006, a combination of legal loopholes, federal intervention, and investigative neglect allowed the ranch to evade scrutiny until now.
Victims describe a calculated trap: Epstein lured young, financially vulnerable girls to the secluded property—often flying them in from out of state—with promises of college help or career advice. The ranch, complete with horse riding and celebrity photos, initially felt like an exclusive resort. But the visits turned dark, with victims recounting unwanted sexual advances, assaults with sex toys, and coerced massages. Isolated and far from home, many felt powerless.
NBC News’ review of records reveals a litany of systemic failures. In 2008, Epstein secured a lenient plea deal in Florida that ended a federal probe which had uncovered at least one New Mexico allegation. Weak state laws at the time—New Mexico didn’t criminalize human trafficking until 2008—left few options for prosecution. Furthermore, due to the specifics of his plea, Epstein avoided registering as a sex offender in the state.
In 2019, as federal prosecutors in New York built a case, they urged New Mexico authorities to stand down, fearing interference. The state investigation was halted, and the ranch was never searched. That same year, Epstein died by suicide in jail.
Now, spurred by the recent release of Justice Department files—which include an unverified tip about two girls being buried on the property—New Mexico has launched two new investigations. On Monday, authorities conducted the first-ever search of the ranch, six years after Epstein’s death.
The property, recently sold to Texas businessman Don Huffines, is being redeveloped as a Christian retreat. Victims and their families, while welcoming the long-overdue scrutiny, question whether justice can truly be served after so many years of missed chances.
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