How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away
Key Takeaways
- At least 10 women and girls have alleged they were groomed or abused at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico; about half say they were minors at the time.
- It has been reported that newly released Department of Justice (DOJ) files include an unverified tip that two “foreign girls” died there and were secretly buried; that claim remains unverified.
- Decades of missed investigations, a 2008 federal nonprosecution deal and changes in New Mexico law left many crimes unprosecuted and investigations delayed.
- For noncitizen victims, delayed or non-existent investigations can complicate access to immigration remedies such as T visas (for trafficking victims) and U visas (for victims of certain crimes); specialized legal help is essential.
Background: allegations, files and missed chances
At least 10 women and girls say Jeffrey Epstein groomed or sexually abused them at Zorro Ranch, the 10,000‑acre property he owned in New Mexico, according to court testimony, lawsuits and records reviewed by NBC News. Many of those who visited the gated estate were flown in from around the country, made to feel special at first and then, they allege, assaulted. It has been reported that newly released DOJ files contain tips — including an unverified allegation about two “foreign girls” dying on the property — but those claims remain unsubstantiated and are being investigated.
How law enforcement and law changes mattered
Investigations were fragmented for decades. Epstein’s 2008 nonprosecution agreement in Florida ended a federal probe that had touched on New Mexico, and New Mexico did not criminalize human trafficking until 2008, narrowing earlier prosecution options. Local authorities did not open a substantial investigation into the ranch until 2019, by which time statutes of limitations had expired for many alleged crimes. The DOJ files released more recently spurred additional inquiries, but the long delay has frustrated victims and complicated any full accounting of what happened.
Immigration implications: what this means for noncitizen survivors
Noncitizen survivors who were at Zorro Ranch face additional legal hurdles. Two major forms of immigration relief are the T visa (T nonimmigrant status for trafficking victims) and the U visa (for victims of certain qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement). Both typically require a law enforcement certification (forms issued by certifying agencies), which can be difficult to obtain if an investigation was never opened or was shut down. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) adjudicates these petitions, and lack of cooperation or closed files can delay or complicate relief. If you or someone you know was a victim, seek an immigration attorney and victim‑service organizations experienced in human trafficking and crime‑victim visas; preserve any records, medical or travel evidence, and statements that document abuse and attempts to report it. Even if criminal prosecution is unlikely because of time limits, immigration remedies and civil options may still be available.
Source: Original Article