How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away

Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch: A Hidden World of Exploitation

For young women in financial need, Epstein’s secluded New Mexico estate appeared as an opulent escape. Invited to the 10,000-acre ranch, they were treated to luxury—riding horses over ancient rock formations, capturing photos in his sprawling 26,700-square-foot mansion, and enjoying activities like swimming and movie nights. Epstein, a wealthy middle-aged figure, presented himself as a mentor, discussing their aspirations, offering financial support, and fostering a sense of intimacy. But this charm masked darker intentions.

Over time, the visits took a sinister turn. Epstein’s interactions shifted from casual to coercive, involving touch, forced nudity, and the use of sex toys. Victims, isolated from their families and surrounded by images of Epstein with high-profile figures, often felt powerless. One incident involved a 15-year-old girl who, after an assault, rode an ATV across the property and crashed into a tree. A fellow guest reassured her, “No one gets in trouble for anything here.”

The exploitation at Zorro Ranch spanned decades, with at least 10 individuals—half of them teenagers—alleging abuse starting in the mid-1990s. Epstein’s legal maneuvers, however, shielded him from accountability. In 2006, he began drawing attention to the ranch, while a 2008 federal deal allowed him to avoid prison for crimes committed in Florida. This agreement also halted an investigation that had uncovered abuse claims in New Mexico, where lax sex offender laws enabled him to evade local registration requirements.

For years, the ranch operated under the radar. New Mexico authorities only launched their first probe in 2019, after the statute of limitations expired for some offenses. Federal prosecutors in New York, prioritizing their multistate case, urged the closure of the state investigation, leaving Zorro Ranch largely untouched. It wasn’t until recently that fresh scrutiny emerged, with the Department of Justice releasing files that included an unverified report of two “foreign girls” dying during sexual activity and being secretly buried on-site.

Justice Takes Time

Now, state officials have initiated two new probes: one by the Department of Justice and another led by a truth commission of four lawmakers. On Monday, the ranch saw its first official search in six years since Epstein’s death. Advocates argue the delay was unjust, but with the property undergoing redevelopment as a Christian retreat, questions linger about whether the state can recover lost time.

“I ask the FBI and local law enforcement to continue uncovering the evil abuse and trafficking that took place on Zorro Ranch, and hold all those involved, who turned a blind eye, fully accountable,” said Rachel Benavidez, a massage therapist who was abused there during visits beginning in 2000.

Locals near the ranch still grapple with its legacy. A memorial now stands outside its gates, with flowers, crosses, and protest signs demanding transparency. Lou Gibney, a 65-year-old construction worker from Albuquerque, emphasized the need for truth: “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.”