State DOJ Seeks Unredacted Federal Files As Lawmakers Launch Parallel “Truth Commission” And Investigators Examine Newly Surfaced Burial Allegations

Friday, February 20, 2026, 1:15 P.M. ET. 5 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News, 

STANLEY, NM.- New Mexico’s top law-enforcement office has reopened a criminal investigation into alleged illegal activity connected to convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch property south of Santa Fe, citing newly released federal materials that state officials say warrant renewed scrutiny.

     In a formal statement issued on Thursday, February 19, 2026, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez directed the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) to revive the state’s previously closed investigation after reviewing information recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, including material described as formerly sealed FBI files.

     According to NMDOJ, the state’s earlier investigation was halted in 2019 at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York while federal proceedings involving Epstein were ongoing. That probe was never publicly resolved.

     The Attorney General’s Office stated it is now seeking immediate access to the complete, unredacted federal case file and will coordinate with both law-enforcement partners and the newly established Epstein Truth Commission, created by New Mexico lawmakers to examine the state’s historical handling of allegations tied to the ranch.

     State officials said investigators will move swiftly while carefully navigating jurisdictional boundaries and evaluating what evidence, if any, may still be recoverable years after the alleged conduct occurred.

Newly Released Federal Material Prompts Renewed Scrutiny;

     The decision to reopen the investigation follows a January 30, 2026, federal release of millions of Epstein-related documents. According to Reuters reporting, the materials shed additional light on Epstein’s activities in New Mexico over several decades and raise questions about whether prior inquiries sufficiently examined conduct tied to the ranch.

     The NMDOJ investigation will proceed independently but in parallel with the legislative inquiry authorized by New Mexico lawmakers. That legislative effort is expected to include sworn testimony and a review of how allegations connected to the property were handled by authorities, including any potential failures of oversight or accountability.

Burial Allegation Emerges From A Released Email;

     Among the most serious issues now under examination is an allegation that Epstein ordered the burial of two girls’ bodies in the hills near the ranch following alleged rough sexual encounters.

     Reuters reported that the claim originated from a redacted 2019 email contained within the newly released federal materials. The New Mexico Department of Justice has formally requested an unredacted version of that email as part of its reopened investigation.

     According to reporting by The Straits Times, citing Reuters, the email was sent after Epstein’s 2019 death to New Mexico radio host Eddy Aragon. The sender claimed to be a former ranch employee and alleged that two girls died during sexual encounters and were buried on the property. The sender reportedly sought one bitcoin in exchange for purported video evidence.

     Federal officials have not verified the claims. The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the FBI declined comment, according to Reuters.

     State officials have emphasized that the burial allegation remains unverified and is being treated strictly as an investigative lead rather than an established fact.

Zorro Ranch History And Current Ownership;

     Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch property in the 1990s and later constructed a large residence and extensive infrastructure on the site. The ranch was frequently referenced in civil litigation and media reporting tied to Epstein’s alleged activities.

     According to Associated Press, the property was sold in 2023 to the family of Texas businessman and former state senator Don Huffines. The new owners renamed the property San Rafael Ranch and stated it is intended to operate as a Christian retreat.

     A spokesperson for the current owners has said they will fully cooperate with law enforcement if investigators request access to the property.

Potential Crimes Under Review;

     The New Mexico Department of Justice has not publicly outlined a specific charging framework. However, based on the scope of the allegations historically associated with Epstein and the issues identified by state officials, investigators commonly evaluate several categories of potential criminal exposure, depending on available evidence, dates of conduct, victim ages, and jurisdiction.

     These may include:

• Human trafficking and sex-trafficking-related offenses, including recruitment, harboring, or financial benefit
• Sexual assault and criminal sexual contact offenses, including crimes involving minors, where applicable
• Child sexual exploitation material offenses, including possession, production, or distribution
• Kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, or coercion
• Conspiracy, facilitation, aiding and abetting, or enterprise-related offenses
• Obstruction of justice, witness tampering, destruction, or concealment of evidence
• Homicide-related offenses, abuse of a corpse, or unlawful disposal of human remains, if and only if credible evidence substantiates the burial allegation

     Because Epstein died in 2019 while in federal custody, any potential criminal liability would focus on surviving participants, facilitators, or individuals who may have enabled crimes or interfered with previous investigations.

     NMDOJ officials stated they are carefully evaluating jurisdictional limitations, including whether alleged conduct falls under state or federal authority and whether statutes of limitation apply.

Next Steps In The Investigation;

State officials confirmed they are actively pursuing access to unredacted federal files and assessing the feasibility of additional investigative steps. Any forensic examination of land, particularly related to burial claims, would require significant legal authorization, corroborating evidence, and specialized resources.

     The New Mexico Department of Justice said it will provide public updates as appropriate as the investigation progresses.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, and contains allegations referenced in recently released federal materials and public statements by New Mexico law enforcement officials. Claims regarding deaths or burials on or near the former Zorro Ranch property remain unverified at this time and are being treated as investigative leads, not established facts. Englebrook Independent News relied on official statements from the New Mexico Department of Justice and contemporaneous reporting from Reuters and the Associated Press. This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available.