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By Joshua Rhett Miller
Senior Reporter
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A lawmaker leading a bipartisan effort to investigate allegations of criminal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch in New Mexico is praising the recent search of the sprawling property, calling it a “massive development.”
Democratic state Representative Andrea Romero said Monday's search represents a critical step to uncover potential crimes committed by the convicted sex offender at the 7,500-acre estate known as Zorro Ranch. Epstein died in prison in 2019.
"I think this is a massive development and progress made on what folks have been asking for years—since 2019," Romero told Newsweek on Wednesday. "We're welcoming the news that this is really happening finally. And of course, that information will get sent to the Truth Commission."
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The New Mexico House of Representatives created a so-called "Truth Commission" last month to probe allegations of criminal activity at the property, which is now owned by a Republican who has renamed it San Rafael Ranch. The four-member panel, which is authorized to conduct hearings, issue subpoenas and receive testimony from alleged victims, will release an interim report in July. A final review is expected by the end of the year.
"This is not the Truth Commission's investigation, it's the New Mexico Department of Justice's investigation," Romero said. "They're basically doing the work to see what they find, and we will get updates from them."
Romero said she didn't have any details on what evidence, if any, had been seized during the new search of the compound, which featured an airstrip and guesthouses. Epstein bought the property near Santa Fe in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King.
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"We're in the midst of getting all of our folks hired," Romero said of the commission, which has a $2 million budget.
Once fully established, Romero said the commission will conduct an independent probe of alleged abuse at the ranch and operate on a "parallel path" with criminal investigators.
"You know, we want folks to be able to get their justice and seek it immediately, if that's available," Romero said. "So, they're going through the New Mexico Department of Justice for that, and then all of that information essentially circles back to us upon all the other information that we have, and we'll have our own investigation."
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Romero told Newsweek last month that she expected investigators to gain access to the ranch "sooner rather than later." She also insisted that New Mexico authorities had been prevented from pursuing their own probe following Epstein's arrest in July 2019.
"We're getting clarity that New Mexico tried to continue an investigation, had enough information perhaps to try folks," Romero said Wednesday. "We haven't seen that in the data releases so far. We haven't seen anything about the investigation that happened here in New Mexico thus far in any of the files. However, we did learn that there was a tip provided to the FBI that there were dead bodies on the ranch. And that's, you know, what essentially tipped the scales in saying, 'How has this never been investigated? What the heck happened here?'"
The New Mexico Department of Justice confirmed Monday that agents had searched the property, along with state police and deputies from the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office.
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"This search is part of the criminal investigation announced by the New Mexico Department of Justice on February 19th into allegations of illegal activity at Epstein's ranch prior to Epstein’s 2019 death," a New Mexico Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement. "The New Mexico Department of Justice appreciates the cooperation of the current property owners in granting access for the search and extends its thanks to the ranch staff for their professionalism."
The agency also urged the public to stay away from the property and to avoid flying drones nearby.
"The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead," the statement concluded.
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Don Huffines, a former Texas state senator who is running for state comptroller, purchased the property in 2023.
"At the time of the sale, it was marketed that the proceeds would go to the victims," Huffines posted on X last month. "It has since been confirmed by the estate's attorneys that proceeds from the sale benefited the victims."
Huffines plans to remodel the ranch into a Christian retreat, he said.
An attorney for San Rafael Ranch also commended Monday's search at the property.
"San Rafael Ranch thanks the New Mexico Department of Justice for taking a welcome step toward truth and justice," according to statement obtained by Newsweek. "While political opponents and internet trolls have attempted to manufacture a smear campaign for their own monetary and political gain, the owners of San Rafael Ranch have been fully cooperating with the New Mexico DOJ’s investigation into any possible wrongdoing by the property’s former owner."
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