New Mexico’s attorney general filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accusing the federal government of stonewalling a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network and blocking access to critical evidence that could hold additional conspirators accountable.

State Demands Federal Files on Epstein Network

Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleging the Justice Department has created roadblocks that “actively harms victims and undermines the public interest.” The legal action comes after Torrez made ten separate requests for information, all of which were either ignored or denied. His office seeks judicial intervention to force federal authorities to turn over materials related to Epstein’s criminal activities at his New Mexico property, Zorro Ranch.

The lawsuit references a Justice Department prosecution memo describing a sexual assault at the ranch involving a woman other than Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate. Torrez told reporters his team has “faced sustained resistance” to information-sharing that routinely occurred between state and federal investigators in the past. He directly challenged Blanche, stating the acting attorney general “could grant us the access that he claimed” but has instead chosen to “stonewall, to obstruct and to frankly conceal.”

DOJ Claims Victim Privacy Protection

The Justice Department defended its position, saying federal court orders prohibit disclosing “victim-identifying information carte blanche” and that New Mexico has provided no lawful basis for such sweeping disclosures. A department statement emphasized protecting victim privacy remains a top priority while maintaining availability to assist the investigation “consistent with the law and binding court orders.” Torrez rejected this explanation, accusing federal officials of hiding “behind the Epstein survivors” and insisting his office has provided ample legal justifications for releasing the files.

New Mexico Left Behind in Federal Probe

A state report released the same day as the lawsuit found federal prosecutors in New York never prioritized New Mexicans during their investigation. Instead, they focused on Epstein’s crimes in New York, Palm Beach, and the Virgin Islands, leaving offenses at the New Mexico ranch unexamined. Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch estate near Santa Fe in 1993, building a hilltop mansion with a private airstrip. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after her 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges, with trial testimony alleging abuse occurred at the New Mexico property. Epstein died by suicide in federal custody in August 2019 after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. The ranch sold in 2023.