New Mexico
New Mexico AG fights for access to Epstein records
New Mexico sues DOJ over Epstein Zorro ranch files
New Mexico is suing the Justice Department for access to unredacted files tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch investigation.
New Mexico investigators are not looking for one document that will suddenly solve the Jeffrey Epstein case at Zorro Ranch. Instead, they said each interview, record and lead could help determine whether enough evidence exists to bring criminal charges.
During a virtual news conference Wednesday, Aug. 05, Attorney General Raúl Torrez said investigators are continuing to examine whether crimes connected to Jeffrey Epstein occurred at Zorro Ranch while seeking access to thousands of unredacted federal records they believe could generate new leads.
Zorro Ranch is a property in Santa Fe County, south of Santa Fe, that was owned by Epstein for years and has been part of New Mexico’s investigation into allegations of criminal activity connected to him.
Epstein was a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender who was accused of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls. Some women have alleged they were abused at Zorro Ranch, one of several properties Epstein owned across the country.
Why do investigators want the Epstein files?
Investigators believe the records can provide new leads in the case, even if they do not contain a single piece of decisive evidence.
Zorro Ranch appears more than 13,000 times in records connected to Epstein, but many of those pages remain heavily redacted, with names and other information removed.
Why did New Mexico sue the Justice Department?
The Attorney General’s Office filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia because the decision to release the records rests with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and the U.S. Department of Justice, Torrez said.
His office first followed the Justice Department’s direction by seeking the records elsewhere but believes officials sent the state to offices that did not have the documents. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to determine whether the department acted unlawfully by refusing to release the records and to decide what information, if any, should remain confidential, Torrez said.
What has the investigation accomplished so far?
Investigators have already executed a search warrant, identified survivors, corroborated information and developed new investigative leads. Torrez declined to provide additional details, said releasing more information could compromise the ongoing investigation.
Also the state reopened the investigation after records released by the federal government raised questions about whether federal authorities had fully pursued the case years earlier, Torrez said.
Who is cooperating?
Local agencies and property owners have cooperated with investigators, while the Justice Department remains the only entity that has not turned over the requested records, Torrez said.
How does the Truth Commission fit into the case?
The criminal investigation is separate from the work of New Mexico’s Truth Commission, which is reviewing institutional failures related to Epstein’s ties to the state.
Torrez said, his office complied with a subpoena from the commission and provided the requested information. However, the two investigations serve different purposes. While the commission’s work is intended to be public and examine how institutions responded, prosecutors are focused on determining whether enough evidence exists to seek an indictment and cannot publicly discuss witnesses, evidence or investigative techniques while the case remains active.
What happens next?
The Justice Department will have an opportunity to respond to the lawsuit before a federal judge decides whether additional hearings are needed and ultimately rules on the state’s request.
Regardless of how the lawsuit is resolved, investigators will continue pursuing evidence while the federal court considers whether the Justice Department must release the requested records, Torrez said.
Andrea Marvez is the public safety reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. Reach her by email at amarvezsarquis@gannett.com or by phone at 575-541-5406. For more local news follow her on Instagram at @andreamarvez and on Facebook at @AndreaMarvez.
Cowboys Flying wins 2026 All American Futurity in impressive fashion
Cowboys Flying wins 2026 All American Futurity at the Downs At Albuquerque.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is pushing back after President Donald Trump suggested changing the state’s name to “New America.”
In a social media post on Sept. 6, Lujan Grisham said New Mexico’s name is not up for debate.
“New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed. You know what is up for debate? Who’s showing up for working families,” Lujan Grisham said.
Trump shared an image on Truth Social on Sunday, Sept. 6, showing “Mexico” crossed out in the state’s name and replaced with “America.” The White House later reposted the image.
Trump has not issued an executive order changing New Mexico’s name, though the post comes after the president enamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Lujan Grisham used her response to criticize the administration on several other issues.
“While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring. Americans are also spending more at the grocery store, losing access to health care and wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a home,” Lujan Grisham said in the post.
“Under Democratic leadership here in New Mexico, we’re providing families with free childcare and college, protecting access to health care and investing in housing. While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work,” she said.
The name of New Mexico dates back to the 1500s when the region was named Nuevo México by Spanish settlers, making its name older than the United States of America and before Mexico gained independence from Spain.
New Mexico was an incorporated territory of the U.S. until becoming the 47th state in 1912.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
New Mexico
So long Ruidoso: Cowboys Flying cruises to win in final All American Futurity in New Mexico
Cowboys Flying wins 2026 All American Futurity in impressive fashion
Cowboys Flying wins 2026 All American Futurity at the Downs At Albuquerque.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Cowboys Flying continued his dominance in the 2026 All American Futurity for 2-year-old quarter horses.
The Texas-bred son of Flying Cowboy 123 won the $3 million, 440-yard race in 20.62 seconds for his sixth win in six starts on Monday, Sept. 7, at the Downs At Albuquerque. Cowboys Flying was the 1-5 post time favorite and won the race by two lengths. Cowboys Flying started out of the No. 7 post.
The winning jockey was Nestor Duran, the winning trainer was Marco Adair Chavez-Gutierrez and the winning owners were Jerry Deville and Jaime Cardenas.
It was the first All American Futurity win for the jockey, trainer and owners.
Ask Her To Fly was second and Chile Gato was third.
How much did Cowboys Flying earn for his owners?
Cowboys Flying earned $1,260,000 for his owners and now has earned nearly $2 million in his 2-year-old campaign.
2026 All American Futurity was the last in New Mexico before moving to Texas
Ruidoso Downs Race Track General Manager Rick Baugh announced that owners Johnny and Jana Trotter have agreed on a framework with Global Gaming Solutions to move the Quarter Horse Racing Triple Crown Series, the All-American Super Select Sale and the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, beginning in 2027.
The announcement was made Thursday, Sept. 3.
What winning jockey Nestor Duran said
“At the 300-yard mark, I knew he had it won. This horse finishes so strong,” said Duran, who lives in Austin, Texas. “To win the All American Futurity means the world to me. I’ve been a jockey since the age of 17 and I feel lots of great emotion.”
What winning trainer Marco Adair Chavez-Gutierrez said
“Cowboys Flying gives his best every race and from the trials until the final, he got more mature and stronger,” Chavez-Gutierrez said. “Nestor did a great job as a jockey. Cowboys Flying was a bit slow to start but once he got going, he was fine.”
What did winning owners Jerry Deville and Jaime Cardenas said
“We’ve been partners for a long time and we knew we would have a champion horse some day,” Deville said. “We have a great team and everyone has contributed to the success of Cowboys Flying. This horse is amazing and gives us everything he can and so many great moments.”
Added Cardenas: “It’s a great feeling to win this race. There is lots of emotion right now for the whole team.”
Dangerous Jess wins All American Juvenile
Dangerous Jess won the 440-yard Juvenile for horses, which did qualify for the All American Juvenile. The winning time was 21.01 seconds.
Dangerous Jess won his first career race in three starts. The winning trainer was Clinton Crawford and the winning jockey was Oscar Andrade, Jr. It was Andrade’s first win in an All American race of any kind.
Tell A Scout was second and Fall Classic was third.
“Clinton told me if the horse breaks in front and breaks well, he’ll do great, I was excited for chance to get to ride this horse,” Andrade said.
Paradise Pete wins All American Gold Cup
Paradise Pete won the 440-yard All American Gold Cup for older quarter horses.
The winning jockey was Christian Cardenas and the winning trainer was David Gomez-Barraza. Paradise Pete won his seventh career rece in 21 starts. Toastin Heros was second and KJ Desparado was third.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
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