In New Mexico, a remote desert ranch tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, is under fresh investigation. Two state legislators are advocating for the establishment of a “truth commission” aimed at preventing future sex trafficking incidents.

State Representative Andrea Romero, a Democrat from Santa Fe, stated that several survivors of Epstein’s abuse have indicated that Zorro Ranch, an extensive estate complete with a mansion and private airstrip located roughly 35 miles south of Santa Fe, was involved in suspected trafficking activities. However, Romero emphasized that there’s insufficient knowledge about the events at the ranch to effectively safeguard against similar abuses in the future.

“The purpose of this commission is to uncover what officials were aware of, how crimes were either reported or overlooked, and how we can ensure such incidents never recur,” Romero explained during a legislative session on Thursday. “There is currently no comprehensive account of the events that transpired.”

The proposed investigation, requiring a budget of $2.5 million, would place New Mexico in the midst of a global investigation into Epstein’s connections. This scrutiny has already caused ripples across the U.S. Congress and led to King Charles III stripping Prince Andrew of his royal title on Thursday.

Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while he was awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking numerous underage girls.

The case emerged over a decade after Epstein had covertly negotiated a plea deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to settle nearly identical allegations. He was accused of paying underage girls for massages before proceeding to molest them.

Epstein purchased the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot (2,480-square-meter) mansion. The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023, with proceeds going to creditors.

While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state attorney general’s office in 2019 confirmed that it was investigating and had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch.

In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses utilized by Epstein and their legal obligations, said agency spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez. That resulted in agreements with two banks that dedicates $17 million to the prevention of human trafficking, she said.

On Thursday, Democratic and Republican legislators expressed guarded support for a new probe, amid concern that New Mexico laws allowed Epstein to avoid registering locally as a sex offender long after he was required to register in Florida.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution under an agreement that required him to spend 13 months in jail and register as a sex offender an agreement widely criticized for secretly ending a federal sex abuse investigation involving at least 40 teenage girls.

“I do feel like this is a unique opportunity to help victims,” said Republican Rep. Andrea Reeb, a former district attorney from Clovis. ”I do believe New Mexicans do have a right to know what happened at this ranch. And I didn’t get the impression it was gonna be a big political thing.”

But another Republican legislator demanded, “Why now?” noting tensions related to President Donald Trump and his vow to release documents related to the late sex trafficker.

“Why not a long time ago?” said Rep. Stafani Lord of Sandia Park. “Every time I ride my motorcycle past there (Zorro Ranch), I get sick to my stomach.”

Results are at least two years away. To move forward with a truth commission, approval first is needed from the state House when the Legislature convenes in January to create a bipartisan oversight committee of four legislators, said Democratic state Rep. Marianna Anaya, a cosponsor of the initiative.