New Mexico elected officials want to investigate allegations surrounding the deaths of two girls at Epstein's farm
The New Mexico House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved the formation of a bipartisan special committee to investigate allegations of criminal activity at the former Zorro Ranch property of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, CNN reports.
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The legislative initiative calls for the commission, entitled the “Truth Commission”, to examine possible criminal activities at the farm and to rule on the need for further legislative action. The commission will have the authority to subpoena witnesses and request mandatory hearings.
“The House of Representatives is concerned that the lack of an investigation into suspected criminal activity at Zorro Ranch … continues to affect the safety and well-being of the state and that continued legislative inaction threatens public confidence in state government,” the text reads.
The legislation comes amid increased attention after the US Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents about Epstein that revealed his connections to prominent figures, sparking public calls for transparency.
Selectwoman Melanie Stansbury welcomed the measure Tuesday, saying New Mexico is “acting where the federal government is not.” She noted that allegations of sexual abuse at Zorro Ranch have been around for a long time, but have never been fully investigated by local authorities or the FBI.
Aleasa Marianna Anaya, one of the project's initiators, said she was relieved after the initiative was approved and emphasized the commission's role in holding institutions accountable, not just Epstein. “We feel it is our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure that we not only investigate, but that we hold people accountable — not just Jeffrey Epstein, but those who supported him, as well as the institutions that failed to protect survivors,” she said.
Anaya stressed that the commission's subpoena authority will be critical, and that it will work with the New Mexico Department of Justice to ensure survivors and witnesses are treated seriously.
The commission must publish two reports before its dissolution on January 1, 2027: one to the leadership of the House by July 31 and another to all members of the House by December 31.
Among the recent documents released by the DOJ is a 2019 email sent to local radio host Eddy Aragon, which alleged that two foreign girls were buried at the behest of Epstein and his associate after they died of strangulation during rough sex acts. The unverified allegations were made by a person who claims to have been employed at the farm. The name of the sender is blurred in the documents. The allegations have not been publicly confirmed or investigated.
Aragon told CNN he sent the email to the FBI in 2019 but has not been contacted since. The email prompted New Mexico Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard to request an investigation, noting that parts of the farm are on state leased land.
“Knowing or assuming that no investigation has been conducted, I have renewed my calls for investigations into this specific allegation,” Garcia Richard said, adding that he supports the Truth Commission and intends to cooperate fully.
The New Mexico Department of Justice also asked the deputy US attorney general to provide the unredacted 2019 email and sender information. A DOJ spokesperson confirmed that the state is examining all possible avenues to investigate the allegations. A DOJ spokesperson confirmed that the state is examining all possible avenues to investigate the allegations.
Zorro Ranch, bought by Epstein in 1993, was sold in 2023 to the family of former Texas state senator Don Huffines, who plan to turn the property into a Christian retreat. Huffines said proceeds from the sale benefited Epstein's victims and promised full cooperation with any investigation by authorities.
