Zorro Ranch: Epstein's New Mexico Property and the Evidence Seized

Key Findings

• Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico was held through a trust structure — the "Zorro Trust" — with Jeffrey Epstein serving as Trustee
• In 2011, Epstein assigned a New Mexico State Land Office right-of-way from Zorro Trust to Cypress Inc., a Virgin Islands corporation
• FBI search warrant documents from 2019 confirm the name "Zorro" appeared on compact discs seized from the New York residence, identified by investigators as referring to Zorro Ranch
• At least one individual interviewed by the FBI reported being sexually abused at the New Mexico property while a minor, according to court documents

Background

Epstein's New Mexico property — located at approximately 49 Zorro Ranch Road, Stanley, NM 87056 — was one of several properties maintained through a network of trusts and corporate entities. Unlike his more frequently discussed residences in Manhattan and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Zorro Ranch received comparatively less public attention prior to the 2019 federal investigation.

The property's existence and its connection to Epstein's broader operations are documented across SDNY search warrant records and New Mexico State Land Office records, which provide a rare window into how the ranch was held and transferred.

The Trust Structure

New Mexico State Land Office records from 2011 and 2012 document the assignment of a right-of-way associated with the ranch from Zorro Trust to Cypress Inc., a Virgin Islands corporation. The assignment document states:

"This agreement is entered into this 16th day of December, 2011, between Zorro Trust as Assignor and Cypress, Inc., a Virgin Islands corporation of 9100 Havensight, Port of Sale, Suite 15/16, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 as Assignee."

The document further identifies:

"The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 16th day of December 20_11_, by Jeffrey Epstein as Trustee of the Zorro Trust uta March 1, 1993, as amended."

This establishes Epstein as the Trustee of the Zorro Trust — the entity through which the ranch was held — with the trust dating to a March 1, 1993 instrument. The assignment transferred rights to Cypress, Inc., another entity in Epstein's corporate network based in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CDs Labeled "Zorro"

An FBI search warrant affidavit executed by a Task Force Officer with the FBI in connection with the July 2019 search of Epstein's Manhattan residence documents the discovery of binders containing dozens of compact discs. The affidavit describes the contents:

"One disc is labeled 'Young.' Another disc is labeled 'Nudes 00-24.' Another is labeled 'Misc. Nudes.' Yet another is labeled 'Girl Pics Nude.' Some discs contain the word 'Zorro' or 'LSJ.' For example, one disc is marked [redacted] Zorro Pics."

The affidavit continues:

"Based on my conversations with law enforcement agents who have participated in this investigation, I believe the name 'Zorro' refers to Zorro Ranch, EPSTEIN's property in New Mexico, and the name LSJ refers to Little Saint James, i.e., the Virgin Islands Residence."

The discovery of discs labeled with the ranch's name — alongside discs explicitly labeled with sexualized content — led investigators to seek a warrant to search the digital contents.

Electronic Devices Seized from Little Saint James

A separate FBI search warrant affidavit for 27 electronic devices seized from Little Saint James on August 12, 2019 establishes the investigative framework connecting Epstein's properties. The affidavit, submitted by Task Force Officer Paul Byrne to U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in the Southern District of New York, states that the investigation concerns violations of:

"18 USC 1591 Sex Trafficking of Minors; 18 USC 371 Sex Trafficking Conspiracy"

The affidavit identifies Epstein's properties across multiple jurisdictions: "properties, including properties in New Mexico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands."

Victim Accounts Involving the Ranch

The SDNY search warrant affidavit references a witness identified as "Individual-1" who reported being transported to multiple Epstein properties while a minor. According to the affidavit:

"Individual-1 reported that she traveled to multiple Epstein properties, including properties in New Mexico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, i.e., the Virgin Islands Residence, before she turned 18. EPSTEIN paid for the trips, and would give Individual-1 money and gifts while she traveled with him. During these trips, EPSTEIN sexually abused and assaulted Individual-1 on approximately four different occasions, all of which occurred before she turned 18."

The FBI affidavit further states that "Individual-1 reported that EPSTEIN raped her during two of these incidents."

Pattern of Abuse Documented

The FBI affidavit describing Epstein's standard conduct at the New York residence — which investigators believe was replicated at other properties — states:

"When a victim arrived at the New York Residence, she would be escorted to a room inside the New York Residence with a massage table, where she would perform a massage on EPSTEIN. The victims, who were as young as 14 years of age, were told by EPSTEIN or other individuals to partially or fully undress before beginning the 'massage.' During the encounter, EPSTEIN would escalate the nature and scope of physical contact with his victim."

Documents indicate investigators used this established pattern as part of the probable cause basis for searching devices found at the properties.

Employee Network

The SDNY affidavit identifies three individuals designated "Employee-1," "Employee-2," and "Employee-3" who "facilitated EPSTEIN's abuse of minor girls by, among other things, arranging victims' encounters with EPSTEIN and paying victims after these encounters." Flight logs reflected that at least one employee traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands on approximately nine separate occasions.

What's Still Missing

• The full contents of the Zorro Trust instrument from March 1, 1993 and any subsequent amendments
• The complete disposition of digital evidence from devices labeled with "Zorro" references
• The identities of additional individuals who may have visited or worked at Zorro Ranch
• The current status and ownership of the property

Source Documents