Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling desert estate outside Santa Fe, known as Zorro Ranch, has re‑emerged in the public eye as newly released Department of Justice documents reveal details of the property’s size, ownership history and the alleged abuse that occurred there.
Property background
The ranch covers nearly 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of high‑desert terrain dotted with cholla cactus and Angus cattle. Its centerpiece is a 26,700 sq ft hacienda‑style mansion, a private runway, hangar and a helipad landscaped as a labyrinth garden.
Epstein purchased the land in 1993 from the family of former three‑time Democratic governor Bruce King through an entity called the Zorro Trust, later renamed Cypress Inc. The deal included about 1,200 acres (485 hectares) of state‑leased land for agricultural use.
Allegations of abuse
Multiple women, including “Jane,” the first accuser to testify at Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial, have described being sexually abused at the ranch from as young as 14. Other survivors, such as Annie Farmer and a woman identified as Jane Doe, recounted forced massages, unwanted sexual contact and being escorted to Epstein’s bedroom.
Virginia Giuffre as well said she was trafficked to powerful men at the ranch, naming former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, a claim the former governor’s spokesperson has denied.
Law‑enforcement investigations
Authorities searched Epstein’s New York townhouse, Caribbean island, Palm Beach estate and Paris apartment, but state and local officials said they were unaware of any federal search of Zorro Ranch. Emails released by the Justice Department indicate that a search never took place around the time of Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
In 2019, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said his office investigated viable state‑level prosecutions, but New York U.S. Attorneys asked the state to pause its investigation, asserting a multi‑jurisdictional federal case was already underway.
Earlier, in February 2007, FBI agents interviewed the ranch manager as part of a Florida child‑sex‑abuse probe. The interview was abruptly halted after staff were instructed to stop speaking with investigators.
State officials later cancelled Epstein’s grazing leases, citing obstructed inspections and concerns that the leases were obtained for purposes other than ranching.
Ownership changes and state response
After Epstein’s death, the estate listed the remaining roughly 8,000 acres for sale. In 2023 the property was sold to an entity called San Rafael Ranch LLC. Later that year, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced a $4.95 million pledge from Deutsche Bank to fund anti‑human‑trafficking efforts, stemming from an investigation into financial institutions’ role in the alleged abuse.
New Mexico lawmakers have proposed a bipartisan “truth commission” to investigate what occurred at the ranch, with the Department of Justice working with legislators. Representative Andrea Romero says the commission would seek to uncover what officials knew, how crimes were reported, and how to prevent similar incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zorro Ranch?
Zorro Ranch is the nickname for Jeffrey Epstein’s nearly 10,000‑acre desert property outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, featuring a 26,700‑sq‑ft mansion, private runway and extensive livestock facilities.
Why were no federal searches conducted at the ranch?
Emails released by the Justice Department and statements from the FBI indicate that federal agents did not search the New Mexico property, and New York prosecutors asked New Mexico officials to pause any state investigation, citing an active multi‑jurisdictional federal case.
What steps are New Mexico officials considering?
State lawmakers are pushing a bipartisan truth commission to investigate the ranch’s history, while the Department of Justice is cooperating with the effort. The commission could be authorized by the state house in the coming weeks.
What do you think should be the next steps for uncovering the full story of Zorro Ranch?
