A Texas politician has purchased the New Mexico ranch formerly owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and says he plans to convert it into a Christian retreat centre.

Don Huffines, a Republican candidate for Texas Comptroller, reportedly bought the 8,000-acre Zorro Ranch in 2024.

The property has previously been the subject of allegations that sexual assaults took place there.

Huffines said he intends to repurpose the site and has renamed it “San Rafael Ranch,” after the saint associated with physical and spiritual healing.

“What the enemy once meant for evil, God can redeem for good," he wrote in a post on X.

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 and described the ownership structure and proposed plans.

“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," she told KRQE News.

Epstein bought the ranch from New Mexico’s King family in the 1990s.