New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is in the spotlight as state and federal probes intersect with a high-stakes national tech/child-safety debate.
On March 9-10, 2026, New Mexico authorities conducted a search of Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe, reopening investigations into alleged sex trafficking and abuse at the property. The search follows the release of millions of DOJ files and new legislative efforts, including a bipartisan truth commission, to uncover potential crimes and public corruption linked to Epstein's activities at the ranch.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is being sued by New Mexico prosecutors for allegedly failing to disclose known risks of social media addiction and child exploitation. The trial examines internal research and Meta’s response to these issues, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifying about platform safety and corporate priorities.
In late March and early April 2026, juries in New Mexico and California found Meta liable for harming children through addictive platform design and failure to protect against sexual exploitation. Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico and $4.2 million in California, alongside Google’s $1.8 million penalty. These landmark rulings challenge legal protections like Section 230 and signal a shift toward greater accountability for social media companies.
A New Mexico 'truth commission' is examining Jeffrey Epstein's connections with Democratic leaders and alleged misconduct at Zorro Ranch. Recent tips and documents suggest possible undisclosed crimes and cover-ups linked to Epstein's activities in the state, prompting renewed investigations.
On March 24, 2026, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for violating state consumer protection laws by failing to protect children on its platforms, ordering $375 million in penalties. The verdict follows a six-week trial and an undercover investigation revealing Meta concealed risks of child exploitation. Meta plans to appeal; a second trial phase in May may impose further penalties and platform changes.