New Mexico is once again investigating what went on at Jeffrey Epstein’s ranch, a probe of the convicted sex offender which was stalled in 2019 by the federal government.

Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, will chair a four-member bipartisan commission approved by the Legislature last week. It comes after the state Attorney General's office ordered further investigations into the sex-trafficking conspiracy and what role Epstein's Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe may have played.

Romero said the names of some New Mexicans are included in newly released FBI documents.

"I don't think you could have done this 10 years ago in New Mexico because of these very close relationships and real potential fear about what could happen to you if you tried," Romero pointed out

In addition to Romero, the newly formed commission includes a second Democratic representative, one Republican and a retired FBI agent. It has operational authority through the end of 2026 but hopes to produce an initial report by midyear.

New Mexico has been criticized for not conducting an investigation at Zorro Ranch years ago but Romero pointed out when the state began preliminary work in 2019 during the first Trump administration, it was told the federal government was now in charge. She noted it is why a local probe stalled, even though it might have led to more disclosures.

"We didn't know about the FBI tip – about this horrifying claim that bodies are buried at the ranch – until a few weeks ago," Romero explained. "But also we do know that we had tried to investigate and were told not to."

Romero added some underage girls and young women who say they were trafficked and sexually abused at the Epstein ranch could be subpoenaed in an effort to exact justice.

"When somebody tells you something happened to them, you believe them and verify everything but we're talking about countless accounts of abuse," Romero emphasized. "It's really important that those who suffered have an opportunity to come forward and to speak their truth."

The recently identified owner of the former Epstein ranch, a Texas businessman and Republican candidate for Texas comptroller, has agreed to cooperate with law enforcement as they search the premises.