How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away
How Epstein Lured Girls to Zorro Ranch and Shielded Authorities from Scrutiny
Girls from across the nation arrived at the secluded estate, where Epstein’s 10,000-acre New Mexico ranch offered a rare escape. They explored the mesa’s ancient rock carvings, swam in the pool, shopped in the mansion’s sprawling retail spaces, and enjoyed movie nights under the stars. For many, the experience seemed like a dream come true—a chance to mingle with a wealthy man who offered guidance, financial support, and a sense of importance. Yet, beneath the surface, the visits took a darker turn.
Epstein’s interactions grew increasingly intimate, with some victims recalling moments of confusion and fear. One girl, just 15 years old, recounted a traumatic incident after an assault: she raced on an ATV across the property the next day, her mind still reeling. “No one gets in trouble for anything here,” another guest said, echoing the sense of helplessness that surrounded the ranch. The environment, filled with Epstein’s photographs alongside celebrities and politicians, seemed to reinforce the idea that the girls had no escape.
A Timeline of Exploitation and Missed Opportunities
Epstein’s alleged abuse at Zorro Ranch dates back to the mid-1990s, according to an NBC News analysis of court records, lawsuits, and official accounts. At least 10 individuals claimed he groomed or sexually assaulted them there, with half being teenagers at the time. Despite these allegations, the ranch evaded full scrutiny for years. In 2008, a federal agreement allowed Epstein to avoid registration as a sex offender in New Mexico, where weak laws at the time made it easier for him to operate unnoticed.
The state only criminalized human trafficking in 2008, further limiting legal avenues for prosecution. New Mexico’s first investigation into Epstein’s activities didn’t begin until 2019, by which point some crimes had expired in terms of statute of limitations. Federal authorities in New York, focused on building a multistate case, reportedly urged the closure of that probe. Now, with new evidence from the Department of Justice’s released files—including an unverified report of two “foreign girls” dying during sex and being buried on-site—state officials have pledged to finally probe the ranch’s secrets.
New Investigations and the Search for Truth
Two recent probes have been initiated: one by the New Mexico Department of Justice and another by a state truth commission. On Monday, officials conducted the first-ever search of the property, six years after Epstein’s death. Victims and their families say this attention is long overdue. “I ask the FBI and local law enforcement to continue uncovering the evil abuse and trafficking that took place on Zorro Ranch,” said Rachel Benavidez, a massage therapist abused there from 2000, in a statement to NBC News.
“It’s incumbent upon our nation to get to the bottom of all this stuff one way or another and find out what the truth is—regardless of where the chips fall,” Lou Gibney, a 65-year-old construction worker from Albuquerque, remarked. Locals have since erected a memorial at the ranch’s entrance, with flowers, crosses, and protest signs demanding justice. Yet, as a new owner redevelops the site into a Christian retreat, uncertainty remains about whether the state can reclaim the lost time and fully confront the ranch’s legacy.
