New Mexico Lawmakers Launch Expansive Inquiry Into Epstein Property
New Mexico state lawmakers launched a wide-ranging investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch outside Santa Fe in a Feb. 16 vote.
The New Mexico State House voted unanimously to form an investigative subcommittee established into the recently convicted sex offender’s actions following allegations that the girls were sexually abused and trafficked on the property, according to Source NM. New Mexico Democratic state Rep. Andrea Romero, the bill’s sponsor, said the subcommittee will be able to use subpoena authority, public records and testimony to “put together the whole story.” (RELATED: Mike Johnson Calls Out Trump Admin, Defends Democrat During Epstein Files Search)
Romero argued that state residents “deserve to know the truth about what happened at Zorro Ranch and who knew about it” in a statement after the vote. “We have heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities in New Mexico, but unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to assemble an official record.”
🚨 Latest News in the Epstein Case 🚨 The New Mexico Legislature passed HR1 this evening to convene a truth commission and investigate Epstein’s crimes in New Mexico, including at the Zorro Ranch, led by State House Representatives Andrea Romero and Marianna Anaya.
The committee will hold its first… pic.twitter.com/eK2jPZGUqZ
– Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) February 17, 2026
“With this Truth Commission, we can finally fill in the gaps by investigating the failures that led to the horrific allegations of abuse and crimes at Zorro Ranch, so we can learn from them and prevent such atrocities from happening in our state in the future,” she continued.
The subcommittee will operate on a budget of $2 million, all funded by the deal between New Mexico’s Democratic Attorney General Raúl Torrez and several financial services companies that allegedly did not acknowledge abuses at the ranch. It will last until the end of the year and may be extended beyond the deadline.
Republican state lawmakers asked Romero questions, including whether additional information had been released regarding allegations that two girls were buried near the ranch, according to Source NM. New Mexico Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard wrote to local and federal officials on Feb. 10 urging them to look into and report on the “disturbing allegations,” the outlet reported.
The fact that Epstein’s Zorro Ranch was apparently not searched during his arrest, nor after his apparent death, and was unknown to most of us until the document’s recent release, is one of the most astonishing facts in history. Something powerful covers his crimes, for a reason. We… https://t.co/tB11QMC5oN
– Bret Weinstein (@BretWeinstein) February 17, 2026
The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) sent a letter Feb. 13 to federal officials requesting unredacted versions of an anonymous 2019 email to an area radio host alleging that “foreign girls” were strangled to death at Zorro Ranch, according to Source NM. The email is part of the collection of recently released Epstein documents but has not been verified, the NMDOJ said.
“While we have not yet received a response to our letter sent last Friday, we are exploring all appropriate avenues to investigate the allegations raised, as well as any others that may emerge,” said Lauren Rodriguez, NMDOJ chief of staff. “We also continue to collaborate with the leadership of the Truth Commission to ensure coordinated communication and meaningful participation in the ongoing fact-finding mission. »
The ranch appears in Epstein’s public records released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and formed a significant part of testimony during the trial of convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. (RELATED: Alleged Epstein victim says she was handed over to Prince Andrew, Bill Richardson and others for sex)
Epstein’s accuser, Annie Farmer, alleged during her testimony at Maxwell’s 2021 trial that Maxwell and Epstein abused her at the Zorro Ranch when she was 16, CBS News previously reported.
🚨 BREAKING: New Mexico lawmakers unanimously approve a $2.5 million ‘truth commission’ with subpoena power to investigate trafficking and sexual assault at Epstein’s Zorro ranch. Starts tomorrow. And the testimonies can lead to prosecution.
A 2019 email alleges that Epstein and Maxwell buried two strangers… pic.twitter.com/VIbnW3I0QV
– The Epstein Files (@TheEpsteinFiles) February 17, 2026
Former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas’ office said in 2019 that it would turn over any information collected about Epstein’s alleged activities to federal officials, New Mexico In Depth reported. No charges were filed by New Mexico prosecutors at the time.
The sprawling 7,500-acre property with a large on-site mansion was owned by Epstein from 1993 until his death in 2019 in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial on charges related to the sex trafficking of minors. Epstein purchased the ranch from former New Mexico Democratic Gov. Bruce King in 1993, Source NM reported. The property had its own airstrip and helipad and was allegedly the site of sex trafficking, according to court documents.
Romero said New Mexico’s Epstein subcommittee will meet for the first time in early February 17.
The Daily Caller reached out to Romero and the NMDOJ for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
