New Mexico officials are accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of obstructing the state’s probe into matters connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property near Santa Fe.

In a letter to the acting U.S. attorney general, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said his office requested records related to the case more than four months ago, but that access still had not been granted and the federal government had not provided a substantive response. Torrez argues that delays and continued withholding of unredacted documents are damaging the state’s investigation and weakening the evidence available for any future prosecution.

Torrez’s complaint centers on records he says are necessary for the case, including information that can identify survivors, witnesses, and other individuals whose identities he says are essential to the state’s fact-finding efforts. He also frames the federal response as an avoidable stalling tactic—particularly because he says DOJ officials provided assurances that the documents would be produced.

The Zorro Ranch investigation has longstanding roots, with New Mexico having conducted its own inquiry previously. The state has also said earlier federal actions left gaps, including allegations that federal prosecutors asked New Mexico in 2019 to pause aspects of its work while the federal government handled its own investigation. According to New Mexico officials, federal investigations did not fully search the property, and the inquiry did not result in charges.

Now, as New Mexico moves ahead with a renewed effort, the state says it needs the federal records to proceed effectively, warning that legal timing and due-process issues could further complicate matters if crucial information remains unavailable.

New Mexico’s DOJ says it is seeking tips and credible information related to Jeffrey Epstein and Zorro Ranch, encouraging the public to submit information that may help investigators.