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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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Fears are growing that evidence linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s former New Mexico ranch could be compromised, a key state lawmaker told Newsweek, as delays and construction could risk undermining a reopened criminal investigation.
Why It Matters
Allegations tied to Epstein’s former New Mexico estate have lingered for years without a clear public accounting.
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State officials say determining what evidence still exists — and why earlier investigations stalled — is critical for survivors and public trust.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office told Newsweek, “We have no comment at this time” when approached.
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What To Know
New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero told Newsweek that the failure to secure Epstein’s sprawling 7,500‑plus‑acre property in 2019 has intensified concerns about whether potential evidence can still be preserved — particularly now that renovation work is underway.
Romero said New Mexico still has no public accounting of what the federal investigation into alleged activity at the ranch examined or why it was ultimately closed.
She said the decision to reopen a criminal investigation has now offered a “glimmer of hope” for survivors who testified years ago and were told nothing more could be done.
The estate, formerly known as Zorro Ranch, has since been purchased by Texas businessman and former GOP state senator Don Huffines, who has said he is converting it into a Christian retreat and has renamed it San Rafael Ranch, after the patron saint of healing, with construction “already underway.”
Huffines has also said publicly that he would cooperate with law enforcement if asked.
A spokesman for Huffines told Newsweek in a statement that authorities would be granted “full and complete cooperation” if approached.
Romero is a sponsor of New Mexico’s nonpartisan Epstein Truth Commission, a legislative panel tasked with establishing a public record of alleged abuse tied to the ranch.
“The fact that we have to do it at all is absurd,” Romero said. “We need to be able to trust our institutions.”
She said the lack of any clear federal accounting has left lawmakers and survivors trying to reconstruct events years after the fact.
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And now, the combination of delay, private sale, and active construction at the site has raised the stakes as New Mexico prosecutors reopen a criminal investigation into alleged crimes linked to the site, she explained.
“Absolutely. … It’s a worry that this could be compromised,” Romero told Newsweek during a Zoom interview, when asked whether ongoing work at the property risks altering potential evidence.
She added that meeting survivors while attending the State of the Union in Washington last week has sharpened the urgency of New Mexico’s investigation.
Being in the House chamber as the president spoke about justice and restoring trust in institutions, Romero said, highlighted the need to establish an official public record of what happened at the ranch.
Romero said concerns about potential evidence loss are shared by a former FBI agent serving on the Truth Commission, who warned, “We’ve got to stop this,” stressing the need to ensure “things aren’t being changed around while we have victims coming forward.”
Their concerns come as the New Mexico Department of Justice confirmed that Attorney General Raúl Torrez has ordered the criminal probe into alleged illegal activity at the ranch to be reopened, citing information in previously sealed federal files and pledging to seek immediate access to unredacted case materials.
Romero said the moment has created what she described as a rare opening for accountability after years of unanswered questions — particularly for survivors who say their allegations tied to New Mexico were never fully examined.
“We as New Mexicans need to know what happened there, and we as a country need to know why these crimes were somehow disregarded or ignored when it came to New Mexico,” she said.
“The fact is that the federal government told us to stand down, but there were no crimes tried at all.”
Romero added that New Mexico officials had asked federal authorities in 2019 to seize Epstein‑linked properties to prevent private sale, a step she said could have preserved the site for examination.
That request was denied when the state was told to stand down.
Asked whether that directive was presented as temporary or final, Romero said the outcome was clear in practice.
“I mean, effectively final, right? Because they have not reopened their criminal probe,” she said.
“The federal government told us to stand down, but there were no crimes tried at all.”
Romero said prosecutors are leading any cases that can still be tried, while the Truth Commission focuses on documenting allegations beyond the reach of criminal courts.
What People Are Saying
Allen Blakemore, a spokesman for Don Huffines, told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “Four years after Mr. Epstein’s death, the Huffines family purchased property in New Mexico listed at public auction whose proceeds benefited his victims. Prior to the auction listing, they had never visited the property.
“The owners have never been approached by local, state, or federal law enforcement requesting access to the San Rafael Ranch. If, and when they do, of course, they will be granted full and complete cooperation.”
Lauren Rodriguez, Chief of Staff at the New Mexico Department of Justice, told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “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.”
What Happens Next
State prosecutors say they are reviewing federal case materials and assessing what evidence, if any, can still be preserved.
The Truth Commission is expected to continue gathering testimony as the reopened criminal investigation proceeds.
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