New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday, accusing federal prosecutors of blocking state authorities from investigating alleged sex crimes at the late Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch. The legal action, lodged in federal court, escalates a growing jurisdictional clash between state investigators and federal agencies over access to evidence, records, and witnesses linked to the sprawling Zorro Ranch south of Santa Fe.
According to the court filing, New Mexico officials have repeatedly sought federal cooperation and investigative materials concerning criminal activity alleged to have occurred at the property. State prosecutors argue that the U.S. Department of Justice has withheld critical cooperation, effectively stalling local efforts to pursue accountability for survivors. The lawsuit seeks to compel federal authorities to release investigative files and permit state investigators independent access to examine the premises and related records.
The confrontation centers on jurisdiction and the handling of evidence gathered following Epstein’s 2019 arrest and subsequent death in a federal jail cell. While federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York previously secured a sex trafficking conviction against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and investigated co-conspirators, state-level law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions have argued that local victims deserve a full accounting under state statutes. New Mexico’s legal challenge marks a significant escalation, pitting a state attorney general directly against federal oversight.
Jurisdictional Conflicts and the Zorro Ranch Investigation
The core of the dispute involves the extent to which federal agencies can shield or withhold records from state law enforcement entities conducting parallel or subsequent inquiries. Zorro Ranch, spanning thousands of acres in Torrance County, New Mexico, served as one of Epstein’s primary residences where numerous survivors allege abuse took place. Following Epstein’s death, federal law enforcement seized various materials from the property, but state investigators contend those files have remained largely inaccessible for local prosecutions.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez emphasized in the complaint that state sovereignty and the rights of local victims necessitate an independent review of all evidence originating within New Mexico’s borders. Legal analysts note that state investigations operate under different statutes of limitations and evidentiary standards compared to federal racketeering and trafficking charges, making direct access to local evidence essential for any potential state-level indictments.
Next Steps in Federal Court
With the complaint now docketed, the U.S. Department of Justice faces a statutory deadline to respond to the allegations in federal court. Legal experts anticipate that federal attorneys may move to dismiss the suit based on sovereign immunity or ongoing investigative confidentiality protocols. No court date has yet been scheduled for initial arguments.
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