SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard sent a letter today calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Mexico Department of Justice to ensure a thorough criminal investigation into allegations that two girls were buried in the hills surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County. Epstein’s company Cypress Inc. held two leases for state land in the vicinity of the ranch that were issued in 1993, but Commissioner Garcia Richard terminated them in 2019 and proactively provided the New Mexico Department of Justice with records related to the Epstein lease and requesting notification of any evidence of criminality.
Read the full letter sent to law enforcement agencies today here.
Statement from New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard:
“Recently-released documents revealed some deeply disturbing allegations of criminal activity by Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators, including the claim that two girls are buried near his New Mexico ranch. Given all that has been learned about Epstein’s crimes so far, it is imperative that the proper authorities conduct a thorough criminal investigation into these claims about the ranch. While I have provided authorities with relevant information regarding these land leases, my agency does not have the authority to investigate. People deserve to know the truth about what happened on Epstein’s ranch and are looking to leaders for answers. I call on the New Mexico Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney to fully investigate the allegations of criminality on Epstein’s ranch and leave no stone unturned in finding answers.”
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Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised around $14 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.