New Mexico lawmakers announced their demand for documents from various government and private entities, marking a significant step to uncover Jeffrey Epstein’s actions in the state. The New Mexico Truth Commission plans to issue subpoenas to 14 targets, including federal agencies like the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI, as well as state and local law enforcement bodies that investigated Epstein. The committee seeks records from Epstein’s former banks, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase, along with the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit research organization supported by Epstein. If evidence of prosecutable crimes surfaces, referrals will be made to the relevant law enforcement agency.
“We aim to create a comprehensive, documented public record,” stated Republican state Rep. Andrea Reeb during a Capitol meeting, emphasizing the need for evidentiary diligence. Reeb is among the four bipartisan commission members, collaborating with the New Mexico Department of Justice. This department has reopened their investigation, initially halted in 2019 by a request from federal prosecutors in New York. They also seek Epstein-related documents from federal authorities.
Epstein acquired a ranch outside Santa Fe in 1993, frequently visiting. Despite longstanding allegations of sex crimes, he was never charged in New Mexico. At least ten women claimed Epstein groomed or abused them at the ranch from the mid-1990s, according to NBC News, with half their ages falling in their teenage years during the incidents. No law enforcement conducted a search on the ranch until this year.
The missed opportunities in New Mexico reflect a recurring pattern with Epstein. In Florida, a similar investigation occurred, with accusations involving payments to underage girls for sex. In 2008, Epstein secured a plea deal with state and federal prosecutors, avoiding severe punishment and ending inquiries in other states. This deal required Epstein to register as a sex offender in Florida and New York, omitting New Mexico. Federal investigators in New York revisited the case in 2019 after the Miami Herald’s expose on the plea agreement. Epstein’s New Mexico ranch received minimal scrutiny during his New York prosecution. Following Epstein’s death, prosecutors targeted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, whose trial briefly mentioned New Mexico allegations. Maxwell now serves her sentence in federal prison.
The Justice Department released millions of Epstein-related documents in January, unveiling efforts to end the 2019 New Mexico investigation and bringing forth allegations of crimes at the ranch, including an unverified claim of two bodies buried on the property. These revelations reignited New Mexico’s determination to clarify the ranch’s history.
Commission members emphasized their focus on survivor experiences, investigating sex trafficking, financial crimes, and potential “medical and scientific crimes,” mentioned by state Rep. Marianna Anaya without further elaboration. Funded by a settlement with Epstein’s banks, the commission hopes to recommend legislative changes to address prosecution barriers related to Epstein’s actions.
Testimonies included survivor Rachel Benavidez, who narrated her abuse as a licensed massage therapist at the ranch, and the family of Virginia Giuffre, a notable Epstein victim who committed suicide last year. “We recognize that Jeffrey Epstein did not act alone,” Benavidez stated. “This malevolent network extends into academia, science, medicine, politics, finance, and government.”