Epstein period
Jeffrey Epstein purchased Zorro Ranch in 1993, reportedly for around $12 million, from the former New Mexico Governor Bruce King. [4] Epstein built a huge mansion at the ranch, with a living room the size of an average American apartment. [4] Epstein controlled the property through a shell company called Zorro Trust, later renamed Cypress, Inc. [2] [5] The 10,000 acres included 1,200 acres leased from the Land Commission of New Mexico. [6]
Epstein registered a brand for the ranch consisting of a conjoined J and E. [7]
The ranch was allegedly used as a location for sexual abuse and sex trafficking of minors. Annie Farmer, the sister of Marie Farmer, claimed as early as 1996 that she had been sexually abused by Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at the ranch. [8] After Epstein was first convicted of sex crimes in Florida in 2008, he was not required to register as a sex offender in New Mexico after his prison term ended, the state of New Mexico continued to lease him land. [2]
According to the New York Times Epstein planned to "seed the human race with his DNA by impregnating women at his New Mexico ranch." [2] [9]
The ranch was under Epsteins ownership managed by a New Zealand couple named Karen and Brice Gordon. They also hosted sex parties and recruited local showgirls, according to a local stripper. Several times a year, big parties are said to have been held at the ranch. Later, the Gordons went into hiding, fearing for their life. [10]
At the ranch, Epstein received prominent guests. According to one of Epstein's housekeepers, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor visited the ranch in 2001 for three days [10] (at the time known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York, he later had his royal titles and styles stripped). Former congressman and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was also among the visitors. [2] Celebrity visitors included Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn. [11]
In late August 2018, trespassers cut a perimeter fence, broke into several buildings, and stole a firearm safe believed to contain 30-40 guns. [12]
Aftermath
In 2019 the Federal Bureau of Investigation acquired search warrants for other properties owned by Epstein, namely Herbert N. Straus House and Little Saint James, but there was never an FBI raid on the ranch. [13] This is despite Virginia Giuffre stating that she experienced sexual abuse from Epstein and his associates at Zorro Ranch. [14] In the years following Epstein's death, the ranch had remained largely unused until it was sold to San Rafael Ranch LLC for an undisclosed sum rumoured to be far lower than the asking price in 2023. [4] The names of the new owners have not been disclosed, however the name of the ranch has been changed to Rancho de San Rafael. [1] [15] [16]
In 2025 state legislators in New Mexico pushed for an inquiry into the Zorro Ranch and Epstein's activities there. [17]
