NMDOJ Re-Opens Zorro Ranch Investigation

Stanley, N.M. –

The trove of documents released by the federal government in the Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked the New Mexico Department of Justice to re-open an investigation into the formerly known Zorro Ranch in Stanley, N.M.

Numerous documents released by the federal government reveal that Zorro Ranch was just as frequently used as the St. Thomas Island, commonly known as Epstein Island. The Zorro Ranch has 7,600 acres with a mansion, a western town, a private air strip and many smaller buildings. There were allegations in an email that two girls were buried on the property. A claim that has yet to be confirmed or denied.

NMDOJ’s Chief of Staff Lauren Rodriguez released a statement saying:

Upon reviewing information recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Attorney General Raúl Torrez has ordered that the criminal investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch be reopened. Although the State of New Mexico’s prior investigation was closed in 2019 at the request of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination. Special agents and prosecutors at the New Mexico Department of Justice will be seeking immediate access to the complete, unredacted federal case file and intend to work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners as well as the Epstein Truth Commission recently established by the New Mexico Legislature. As with any potential criminal matter, we will follow the facts wherever they lead, carefully evaluate jurisdictional considerations, and take appropriate investigative action, including the collection and preservation of any relevant evidence that remains available. We are moving quickly and deliberately on this issue and will provide updates as appropriate.

The ranch was purchased by Epstein in 1993 for $12 million, from former New Mexico Governor Bruce King. The shell companies were called Zorro Trust and Cypress Inc.

During the existence of the ranch, it is said that prominent international elites visited the ranch, such as Prince Andrew, Richard Branson, and former Governor Bill Richardson.

After the publishing of this article on February 19th, 2026, an email from a virgin.com address denied the claims of Sir Richard Branson visiting the Zorro Ranch.

“We can confirm that Sir Richard Branson has never visited Zorro Ranch,” said the e-mail.

We asked the NMDOJ if there will be a look into the King family for any criminal charges.

Gary King, the New Mexican politician and former Attorney General was in office from 2007 to 2015. This was the height of some of the allegations into the sex crimes committed at the Zorro Ranch.

The NMDOJ did not respond to our comments on the investigation into the King family.