New Mexico’s top legal official has accused the U.S. Department of Justice of impeding the state’s investigation into allegations of abuse at Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch. On July 9, Attorney General Raul Torrez stated that the Justice Department has been withholding unredacted files critical to the probe.

The investigation, reopened by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office in February, centers on accusations that Epstein sexually abused women and girls over nearly 30 years at his ranch located south of Santa Fe. The state requested access to unredacted documents that would identify survivors, witnesses, co-conspirators, and other individuals potentially linked to the case.

In a letter dated June 30 addressed to acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Torrez highlighted the Justice Department’s failure to respond to the state’s request since February. He characterized the ongoing 130-day delay as “unreasonable under any rule of reason” and emphasized the importance of the records for advancing the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice responded by noting that the agency had provided a response to New Mexico’s request in June, though they did not specify whether the files had been fully disclosed or the nature of any redactions.

The Justice Department’s withholding of the documents has raised concerns about potential obstacles to the thorough examination of Epstein’s activities, which have attracted significant national attention. New Mexico officials appear determined to pursue the investigation despite the challenges posed by the federal agency’s response.

The case remains under active review by New Mexico authorities, who have not indicated a timeline for when they expect the full cooperation and access to all relevant materials from the Justice Department.