Huffines Family Bought Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico

The family of former Texas state Sen. Don Huffines quietly acquired the late Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 2023, four years after the disgraced financier’s death in federal custody.

A limited liability company tied to the Huffines family bought the property at public auction in 2023 for an undisclosed price. The purchase was first reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, which cited public records obtained through information requests. According to the paper, proceeds from the sale benefited Epstein’s victims, the Texas Tribune reported.

As previously reported in The Real Deal, San Rafael Ranch LLC was registered with New Mexico’s secretary of state office in July of 2023, though its tie to the Huffines family was not revealed at the time.

The property, in southern Santa Fe County, features a 26,700-square-foot mansion, private airstrip, hangar, helipad, ranch office, firehouse and heated garage as part of the expansive ranch.

The Huffines purchasing entity later challenged the ranch’s tax valuation, arguing it should be reduced to $13.4 million in part because of the property’s “notoriety,” according to the New Mexican. The records obtained by the publication show the property was renamed in 2024 to San Rafael Ranch and its address is now 49 Rancho San Rafael Road, near Stanley, New Mexico.

In a statement Friday, Huffines’ campaign spokesperson Allen Blakemore said the family had “never visited the property” before it was listed, and purchased it four years after Epstein’s death. In a follow-up statement Monday, Blakemore added that the family has not been contacted by authorities about searching the ranch, but would cooperate if asked.

Although he was never charged in New Mexico, the state’s attorney general’s office had confirmed an investigation into Epstein’s activities at the ranch. The renewed scrutiny comes after emails recently surfaced alleging that two girls may be buried at or near the property, prompting calls from New Mexico officials for federal and state authorities to open a probe.

The deal surfaced as Huffines campaigns for Texas comptroller, the state’s chief financial officer overseeing taxes and investments. News of the ranch’s ownership also comes as the U.S. Department of Justice released the latest tranche of documents tied to Epstein revealing more of the billionaire’s ties to the elected officials and other notable leaders.

Huffines previously lost a 2022 primary challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott and now faces Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, Michael Berlanga and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick in the March 3 Republican primary. A poll released this week shows Huffines leading ahead of early voting.

— Eric Weilbacher