New Mexico Authorities Launch Investigation into Epstein Ranch Burial Allegations
The New Mexico Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that it is actively investigating a disturbing allegation uncovered in documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to these files, the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein allegedly ordered the bodies of two foreign girls to be buried outside his remote Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
Request for Unredacted Evidence and Broader Review
In response to the emerging details, New Mexico Department of Justice spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez confirmed that the state has formally requested an unredacted copy of a 2019 email containing the allegation from the U.S. Justice Department. Rodriguez emphasized in an emailed statement, "We are actively investigating this allegation and are conducting a broader review in light of the latest release from the U.S. Department of Justice." This move underscores the seriousness with which state officials are treating the claims.
Legislative and Political Pressure Intensifies
The investigation comes amid mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and a comprehensive probe launched by New Mexico's legislature just a day earlier. This legislative inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of accusations that Epstein sexually abused girls and women at Zorro Ranch, located approximately 30 miles south of Santa Fe, over a period spanning more than two decades. The push to expose Epstein's crimes has evolved into a significant political challenge for President Donald Trump, highlighting the national implications of the case.
Details of the Redacted Email and FBI Involvement
The redacted 2019 email, part of the latest batch of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Justice Department, was sent to Eddy Aragon, a New Mexico radio show host who had previously discussed Zorro Ranch on his program. The sender, claiming to be a former employee of the ranch, demanded payment of one bitcoin in exchange for videos allegedly taken from Epstein's house, which purportedly showed the financier engaging in sexual acts with minors.
In a phone interview, Aragon stated that he believed the email to be legitimate and promptly forwarded it to the FBI. He clarified that he did not receive any payment from the sender nor had any further contact, though he recently attempted to respond only to find the email address inactive. The email specifically alleged that two foreign girls were buried "somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro" on Epstein's orders, and that they died "by strangulation during rough, fetish sex."
FBI Report and Ongoing Scrutiny
A 2021 FBI report, also included in the latest document release, corroborates that Aragon visited an FBI office to report the email, which offered seven videos of sexual abuse and the location of the buried girls in exchange for one bitcoin. Despite this, a Reuters search of other disclosed documents did not uncover additional references to these allegations or any conclusions drawn by investigators.
The U.S. Justice Department has cautioned that some files from its Epstein investigation "contain untrue and sensationalist claims," including anonymous accusations that were not corroborated or were found to be false. This warning adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations.
State Land Commissioner's Call for Action
New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard revealed in an interview on Wednesday that her office discovered the redacted email during a recent review of the latest Epstein file release. In a February 10 letter to the U.S. Justice Department and a public statement, Garcia Richard urged federal and state justice officials to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of criminal activities on Epstein's ranch and adjacent state lands.
Epstein had leased around 1,243 acres of state lands surrounding the ranch in 1993. Garcia Richard cancelled these leases in September 2019 after determining that Epstein used the land not for ranching or agriculture, but as a privacy buffer for his property. This action underscores the state's commitment to addressing potential misuse of public resources.
Background on Epstein's Death and Legacy
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019, with his death officially ruled a suicide. His passing has not halted the relentless pursuit of justice and truth regarding his alleged crimes, as evidenced by the ongoing investigations in New Mexico and beyond.
