New Mexico
Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico ranch lands buyer after 2 years on market
After more than two years on the market and several price cuts, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime New Mexico ranch — where some of his most ghastly allegations of sexual abuse occurred — has found a buyer, The Post has learned.
“We confirm sale by the Epstein Estate of the New Mexico property known as ‘Zorro Ranch,’ with the proceeds to be used for Estate administration, including payment of creditors,” Daniel Weiner, an attorney representing Epstein’s estate, told The Post. “While details of that sale (including the purchase price and buyer) are confidential, the Estate will disclose the sale in its next quarterly accounting to be filed in the St. Thomas, USVI probate court.”
Although property records have not yet been processed with information of the new owner and price paid, the large property was last listed for sale at $18 million.
The latest asking price is a far cry from its initial ask of $27.5 million back in July of 2021.
Last month, the property entered contract.
Located in Stanley, south of Santa Fe, Epstein reportedly had plans to make the ranch a “baby-making factory,” where he would inseminate victims.
Over the years, several women came out accusing the late disgraced New York-based investor of sexually abusing them there. Though he was never charged with a crime in New Mexico, the compound has been painted as integral to his sex-trafficking operation.
Property records show Epstein purchased the ranch in 1993 from Gary King, who served as New Mexico’s 30th attorney general at the time. The purchase comprised private and leased federal lands.
After heightened allegations resurfaced against Epstein in 2019 concerning his involvement with underage girls, the state land commissioner ended the grazing deal with him.
“We are officially canceling the leases with Zorro Ranch and Cypress Inc.,” State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard told local KRQE station at the time. “I would never sign any lease agreements or contracts with such individuals as Jeffery Epstein or any of his co-conspirators.”
Since 1993, Epstein leased two parcels of state trust land, which was part of his sprawling 10,000-acre New Mexico compound until his death in 2019.
“That’s a pretty big ranch,” Santa Fe County Assessor Gus Martinez told KRQE. “It is a remote property. The only way you can get access is really through the ranch hand, and so you can’t just really drive into that property because the gates are closed.”
Computer scientist and writer Jaron Lanier told the New York Times that he once spoke to a scientist who related how the convicted pedophile’s goal was to have 20 women at a time impregnated at the ranch.
Epstein kept security tight there, too, according to a contractor who worked on the site. “We had to be escorted in on a truck with other employees, and, once inside, we had to put little hospital booties over our feet — and it was mandated that we are escorted everywhere we went and use side entrances,” the contractor recalled. “About every three minutes someone would come down to keep an eye on us while we were working.”
According to the previous listing, the estate has a grand three-story, four-bedroom main house, and a nearby caretaker’s residence. There are additional structures, including a grass airstrip and a hangar that are also part of the grounds. Amenities include stables, a firehouse and a yurt.
“The proceeds from the sale are expected to be used for the estate’s regular administration, including its payment as necessary of taxes, creditors and claimants,” Weiner told The Post.
Neil Lyon and Darlene Streit of Sotheby’s International Realty held the listing.
Meanwhile, Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse sold for a whopping $51 million. His Palm Beach, Florida, compound, which prominently displayed a photo of Epstein kissing his alleged madame Ghislane Maxwell, sold for $18.5 million. The new owner demolished that structure and built a new property on the land.
In May, Billionaire Stephen Deckoff spent $60 million to buy Jeffrey Epstein’s two Caribbean islands — Great St. James and Little St. James.
“I’ve been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination befitting its natural grace and beauty,” Deckoff previously told the Financial Times in a statement.
The two islands initially listed for a combined $125 million.
Epstein’s London estate was also sold for an undisclosed sum.
New Mexico
NMDOJ issues report on NMSU hazing case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Justice released a report on its investigation into alleged cases of sexual assault and hazing within the New Mexico State University men’s basketball program during the 2022-23 season.
The NMDOJ issued a report accusing the NMSU men’s basketball program of failing to protect student-athletes and having a “pervasive culture of misconduct,” leading to the cancellation of the season.
The report stems from an investigation into alleged hazing and sexual assault incidents within the NMSU men’s basketball program back then, which led to the cancellation of the season.
In April 2023, two players sued the school, players and coaches, accusing multiple players of sexually assaulting them multiple times over several months – and accusing the coaches of not stepping in. In November 2023, a grand jury indicted Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., and Doctor Bradley on criminal charges.
Bradley and Aiken each took a plea deal. Aiken agreed to testify against Washington as a part of his deal.
The NMDOJ blames the alleged assaults on an environment characterized by a toxic culture within the program. They allege people close to the team missed “opportunities to observe and intervene” and that student safety programs didn’t do enough “to deter or address this behavior.” They cited “lax oversight, inconsistent discipline, and inadequate preventative measures.”
“This report is intended to shine a light not only on the specific misconduct by members of NMSU’s basketball team but also the institutional deficiencies that allowed that misconduct to go unaddressed by leaders inside the university,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said. “While NMSU has made commendable progress since these incidents occurred, more must be done to ensure accountability and prevent future harm.”
The NMDOJ called on NMSU to:
- Develop written guidelines for collaborations between athletics, institutional equity office and the dean
- Institute recurring Title IX and anti-hazing training for all students and staff
- Enforce “disciplinary measures for student-athletes based on the severity of misconduct”
- Strengthen standards for recruiting practices and coach and player vetting
- Ensure senior leadership “prioritizes and adequately funds” safety initiatives and programming
- Establish a center “dedicated to sexual violence education, prevention, and victim advocacy”
The NMDOJ is calling on the New Mexico Legislature to pass anti-hazing legislation. According to them, New Mexico is one of six states that lacks this.
They also identified seven critical areas of concern:
- Institutional governance and student engagement
- Policies
- Reporting mechanisms
- Training
- Athletics Department culture and recruiting practices
- Resources for sexual assault victims
- Interdepartmental coordination.
You can read the full NMDOJ report here.
Here is the letter the NMDOJ sent to NMSU:
New Mexico
New Mexico chipmunk listed as ‘endangered’ in southeast region – Ruidoso News
New Mexico
Virginia Tech Football to Host New Mexico Transfer Attempting to Strengthen Secondary
Ten days into the transfer prortal and its been all quiet for the Virginia Tech football team in terms of getting commitments. As far as players leaving Blacksburg for new schools for 2025, that has been a pipeline to the SEC.
Just how bad are things right now for Hokies’ coach Brent Pry and his staff? Clemson and Dabo Swinney, who are at Texas on Saturday in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff have had two commitments at the time this article is being written. That’s rather eye-opening. To add insult to injury, in-state rival Virginia has had some key commitments through the portal.
There is still time for Virginia Tech to add some players and they will. Just who and how many remains to be seen, but yes, it’s concerning the returns so far compared to the subtractions. The Hokies picked up their first and only commitment to date Wednesday night when Clemson transfer Sherrod Covil, Jr. committed to bolster the secondary. This is a big in-state win as Pry brings home another Commonwealth player to finish his career in his home state. The Hokies will host another transfer this weekend and it should be considered a priority.
Virginia Tech to host New Mexico safety Christian Ellis
With the talent lost in the secondary in the portal, Virginia Tech will be hosting New Mexico transfer Christian Ellis, a safety who had 99 tackles and a pick for the Lobos this season. Virginia Tech offered Ellis on Dec. 17 according to his X account. He is an All-Mountain West defensive back.
With Covil, Jr. already committed, Virginia Tech could use another commitment or two in the secondary, which makes Ellis a potential priority with other players committing to other schools. Arizona and Utah State are also reportedly in the mix for Ellis.