How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away
How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away
Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling 10,000-acre ranch in New Mexico initially appeared as a glamorous retreat for young women in need of financial or personal support. Invited by Epstein, these girls traveled from across the country to the secluded compound, where they engaged in activities like horseback riding, swimming, and movie nights. The mansion, spanning 26,700 square feet, became a backdrop for moments that seemed carefree and indulgent. Epstein’s presence, though unusual for a middle-aged man of his wealth, was framed as mentorship and companionship. He offered guidance, gifted money, and cultivated a sense of trust and admiration among the visitors.
The Grooming Process
However, the atmosphere shifted as the visits progressed. Epstein’s interactions with the girls became more intimate, involving touch, stripping for massages, and the use of sex toys. Isolated from their families and surrounded by images of Epstein with prominent figures, the victims felt powerless. One 15-year-old girl, for instance, rode an ATV after an assault, unaware that the ranch was a place where no one faced consequences. “Don’t worry,” another girl reportedly told her, “no one gets in trouble for anything here.”
“No one gets in trouble for anything here.” — Recollection of a victim
Epstein’s alleged abuse spanned nearly two decades, with at least 10 individuals claiming he groomed or harmed them starting in the mid-1990s. Half of these victims were teenagers when the abuse occurred. Despite these accounts, the ranch remained shrouded in secrecy for years, as legal and procedural gaps allowed Epstein to evade accountability. The 2008 federal agreement, which concluded an investigation into his Florida activities, left him with minimal prison time, setting the stage for further exploitation in New Mexico.
A Delayed Pursuit of Justice
At the time, New Mexico lacked strict human trafficking laws, which hindered prosecution efforts. Local authorities only initiated their first probe into Epstein’s activities in 2019, after the statute of limitations expired for some crimes. This investigation was later halted by New York’s federal prosecutors, who prioritized their own multi-state case. The ranch was largely left unexamined, perpetuating its hidden nature.
“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 local resident
Recent revelations, including an unverified report of two “foreign girls” dying during sexual encounters and being buried on the property, have prompted renewed scrutiny. Two investigations have now been launched: one by the New Mexico Department of Justice and another by a state-appointed truth commission. State officials conducted the first search of the ranch since Epstein’s death in 2019, signaling a shift toward uncovering its past. Yet, with a new owner transforming the site into a Christian retreat, questions linger about whether justice will be served in time.
For many New Mexicans, the ranch remains a symbol of shame. A memorial outside its entrance features flowers, crosses, and protest signs demanding transparency. Victims and their families argue that the delay in investigations has been unjust, calling for full accountability. “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 who endured abuse there. “Hold all those involved, who turned a blind eye, fully accountable.”
