New Mexico authorities search Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch as part of reopened criminal investigation

First covered Monday, March 9, 2026Rights & JusticeWell-covered

The Facts

New Mexico authorities initiated a search of Zorro Ranch, a ranch previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein.
The search is part of a criminal investigation into alleged illegal activity at the ranch prior to Epstein’s death in 2019, which state officials said was initiated/reopened in February.
The New Mexico Department of Justice said the search was carried out at the direction of Attorney General Raúl Torrez and involved assistance from the New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the current owners of the property cooperated with the search by granting access.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area during the operation, including requests to refrain from flying drones nearby.
Zorro Ranch has been described in civil and criminal proceedings as a site of alleged abuse connected to Epstein.
Multiple outlets reported that recently released/unsealed federal case files or documents referenced Zorro Ranch many times, contributing to renewed attention on the property.

Context

Who is conducting the search and what is it connected to?

The New Mexico Department of Justice said the search was conducted under Attorney General Raúl Torrez with assistance from the New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, and it is tied to a criminal investigation into alleged illegal activity at the ranch before Epstein’s 2019 death. Newsweek SAPO

Why is Zorro Ranch receiving attention now?

State officials and news reports point to renewed scrutiny following the release of large volumes of federal documents and reporting that the ranch may not have been searched previously to the same extent as Epstein’s other properties. Spiegel Online Guardian Guardian

What have officials said about public access during the search?

Authorities asked the public to stay away from the area and said people should not fly drones nearby during the operation. Newsweek Al Jazeera Online

New Mexico authorities initiated a search of Zorro Ranch, a ranch previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein.
The search is part of a criminal investigation into alleged illegal activity at the ranch prior to Epstein’s death in 2019, which state officials said was initiated/reopened in February.
The New Mexico Department of Justice said the search was carried out at the direction of Attorney General Raúl Torrez and involved assistance from the New Mexico State Police and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the current owners of the property cooperated with the search by granting access.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area during the operation, including requests to refrain from flying drones nearby.
Zorro Ranch has been described in civil and criminal proceedings as a site of alleged abuse connected to Epstein.
Multiple outlets reported that recently released/unsealed federal case files or documents referenced Zorro Ranch many times, contributing to renewed attention on the property.

New Mexico authorities search Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch as part of reopened criminal investigation

The Facts

Context

Wire services (9)

Independent coverage (50)

Facts first. Then every angle.

New Mexico authorities search Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch as part of reopened criminal investigation

The Facts

Context

Wire services (9)

Independent coverage (50)

Facts first. Then every angle.