March 15, 2026 — New Mexico — Texas Republican politician and Comptroller candidate Don Huffines has purchased Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch, announcing plans to transform the 8,000-acre property into a Christian retreat center named San Rafael Ranch.
Huffines acquired the ranch in 2024 through an LLC where his wife served as trustee. He intends to repurpose the site associated with Epstein’s criminal history, emphasizing redemption. The property, located in New Mexico, was bought by Epstein from the King family in the 1990s and has been linked to allegations of sexual assaults there.
In a statement posted on X, Huffines declared,
“What the enemy once meant for evil, God can redeem for good.”
He added that he is “ready and willing to cooperate with authorities and grant access to the property for any investigations.”
New Mexico Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-Albuquerque) confirmed the sale details to KRQE News, noting,
“It was purchased through an LLC in which his wife was the trustee. He has renamed the ranch and, as of Monday, is claiming that he plans to use the ranch for a religious retreat, which is an interesting turn of events.”
Property Background
The Zorro Ranch gained notoriety due to its ownership by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Huffines’ purchase and announced plans mark a significant shift in the site’s intended use toward spiritual healing, named after Saint Rafael, associated with physical and spiritual recovery.
No further details on the timeline for conversion or specific programming for the retreat were provided in the announcement.