New Mexico AG Accuses DOJ of Stonewalling Epstein Ranch Probe

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is publicly accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of obstructing the state’s criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch by withholding unredacted federal records. New Mexico’s top law enforcement official on Thursday accused the U.S. Department of Justice of hindering the state’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein by withholding unredacted files on the late sex offender.

What Torrez Is Alleging

The letter, dated June 30, was published online on Thursday, as part of escalating tensions between state Attorney General Raul Torrez and the administration of President Donald Trump. In it, Torrez says the DOJ has ignored repeated document requests dating back to February.

“Despite verbal assurances of cooperation from the USDOJ, access to the requested records has not been granted, no substantive response has been provided, and more than 130 days have now elapsed,” Torrez, a Democrat, wrote. The state says those records contain names of survivors, witnesses and possible co-conspirators tied to activity at Zorro Ranch.

Why This Matters

The Democratic-run state re-opened an investigation in February into activities at Epstein’s former ranch south of state capital Santa Fe, where he is accused of abusing women and girls for nearly three decades. The ranch was never fully searched by federal investigators, and Torrez argues time is working against any potential prosecution.

“The U.S. D.O.J.’s continued withholding of unredacted records is causing real and escalating harm,” Torrez wrote to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in the letter, made public Thursday. “Every day that the U.S. D.O.J. withholds these records, the foundation upon which a New Mexico prosecution could be built erodes.”

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The DOJ Response

A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson said the agency responded to the New Mexico request in June. “The DOJ reiterates that it welcomes New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch and stands ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico’s investigation,” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency was ready to investigate and possibly prosecute any federal crimes the New Mexico investigation uncovered.

After initially opposing the release of the Epstein files, Trump backed their publication in November and subsequently signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law. That piece of legislation required the Department of Justice to publish all its records pertaining to Epstein within 30 days and with minimal redaction, except to protect the identities of victims.

The Ranch and Its New Owner

In March, the state attorney general’s office began a search of the ranch, which is now owned by Dallas real estate magnate Don Huffines, the recently appointed comptroller of Texas. Huffines, who plans to turn the ranch into a Christian retreat, said he was cooperating with the state investigation.

Torrez has also ordered dozens of companies to preserve records related to Epstein and his associates. The state commission has likewise sent a raft of subpoenas to federal and state agencies, financial institutions and a local nonprofit with ties to Epstein.

Options market and stocks to watch

This is a political and legal story, not a direct market catalyst, but traders watching headline risk around Trump-administration political fights and financial-institution subpoenas may want to keep tabs on the following names for related news flow:

• JPM — watch for any renewed attention on legacy banking relationships tied to Epstein as state subpoenas widen.
• DB — Deutsche Bank has previously faced Epstein-linked legal exposure; monitor for headline-driven moves.
• DJT — Trump-linked ticker that tends to react to political-cycle news around the administration.
• SPY — a broad tape check if Washington political risk broadens into a wider media cycle.

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