New Mexico accuses US Justice Department of impeding Epstein investigation

New Mexico's top law enforcement official has escalated tensions with the federal government over access to documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's operations within the state. In a letter dated June 30 and released publicly this week, Attorney General Raul Torrez detailed a pattern of unresponsive requests to the Justice Department spanning more than four months, describing the delay as unreasonable under any standard.

The southwestern state reinitiated its investigation into Epstein following the federal government's release of millions of documents concerning the convicted sex offender. Central to New Mexico's inquiry is Epstein's Zorro Ranch, a property he acquired in 1993 and developed into a substantial complex where he entertained guests. Allegations of sex trafficking at the site have never been comprehensively examined.

New Mexico had previously attempted to investigate Epstein's conduct at the ranch in 2019, but the then-state Attorney General was instructed to halt the effort to allow federal prosecutors to take the lead. Torrez indicated his intention to complete the investigation his predecessor was forced to suspend, but emphasized that federal obstruction has caused tangible and mounting damage to the probe.

Epstein, a financier with extensive connections, was convicted in Florida in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution and served only 13 months. He died in custody in 2019 while awaiting federal trial on sex-trafficking charges, with estimates suggesting hundreds of victims. The resurgence of scrutiny into his crimes has drawn attention to the Trump administration's handling of the released files, with some observers questioning whether the president's prior social relationship with Epstein may influence federal transparency.