Description and Location
Zorro Ranch is a roughly 10,000-acre property located near the town of Stanley in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, approximately forty miles south of Santa Fe. Epstein acquired the property in 1993 and developed it extensively over subsequent years into a self-contained compound. The main residence, a substantial structure sometimes described as a lodge, was equipped with multiple guest accommodations, a private airstrip capable of accommodating small aircraft, a hangar, and various outbuildings.
The remote location of Zorro Ranch — set in the high desert scrubland of central New Mexico, far from neighbors and public roads — made it an ideal site for private activity isolated from outside observation.
Development and Features
Epstein invested significantly in the physical development of the property. The main building was designed with elaborate interior décor that reportedly included significant art holdings and, according to visitor accounts, imagery consistent with the disturbing aesthetic documented at his other properties. A commercial-scale bathroom with medical-grade fittings was reportedly installed according to descriptions from individuals who visited.
The ranch had its own water and power infrastructure, horse facilities, and accommodations sufficient for extended stays by multiple guests simultaneously. The private airstrip allowed small aircraft to land directly on the property, eliminating the need to use any public airport in the area.
Trafficking Allegations
Multiple victims named Zorro Ranch in civil litigation as a location where Epstein abused them. The New Mexico Attorney General launched an investigation after Epstein’s 2019 arrest and death, examining evidence that trafficking activity had occurred on the property, that underage victims had been brought there, and that labor abuses had been perpetrated against workers employed at the ranch.
The investigation focused in part on whether any of the workers at the ranch — some of whom were from abroad — had been trafficked for labor purposes in addition to their employment. Reports indicated that some foreign nationals employed at the ranch had entered the United States under questionable visa circumstances.
Scientific Pretensions
Epstein used Zorro Ranch as a setting for scientific and intellectual gatherings, hosting events that brought together researchers, academics, and scientists for discussions on topics including cognitive science and evolutionary biology. He envisioned the property as a site for a utopian scientific community and at various points spoke about wanting to use the location to pursue transhumanist projects, including reported statements about wanting to artificially inseminate women with his DNA at the ranch. These claims were reported by the New York Times in 2019.
This dual use — a site of serious abuse and a venue for intellectual performance — characterized Epstein’s properties generally and reflected his deliberate conflation of legitimate activities with criminal ones.
State Investigation
The New Mexico Attorney General’s investigation resulted in a civil lawsuit against Epstein’s estate filed in 2020. The lawsuit alleged that the estate, through Zorro Ranch operations, had engaged in sex trafficking and labor trafficking on New Mexico soil. The case named Ghislaine Maxwell as a participant and sought damages for the state.
This civil action was part of a broader wave of state-level accountability efforts in the aftermath of Epstein’s death, reflecting the argument that his estate remained liable for his conduct regardless of his death before trial.
Property Status
After Epstein’s death, Zorro Ranch became a subject of estate proceedings. Victim advocates sought to have proceeds from the sale of the property directed toward victim compensation funds. The property was ultimately listed for sale as part of the estate’s asset liquidation process, though its remote location and disturbing history complicated efforts to find buyers quickly.