EFTA00129048.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY FBI Albuquerque, INT-1 12 August 2020 HQ-CID-219-II.20 804I-AQ-2482314 374-AQ-3 179705 (U) Historical Documents and Zorro Ranch Media Reports May Augment Known Facts regarding the Missing San Jose de Gracia Church Artifact. (U) Executive Summary (U//FOUO) FBI Albuquerque assesses it is likely' information is available which could enhance known information about the whereabouts of the "Death Bell"; an historical artifact missing from San Jose de Gracia de Church, Trampas, New Mexico.' The FBI has jurisdiction over Major Theft crime as it relates to Art & Artifacts theft. FBI Albuquerque assesses with medium confidence' that the possibility exists that the missing artifact, and possibly other artifacts, were housed at the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. The Zorro Ranch was one of several properties owned by the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein's arrest and death transformed the existence of his ranch in New Mexico into a global story generating a large amount of news reports and speculation about the ranch property. (U) Key Findings • (U) A church renovation timeline likely corroborates witness statements that the bell has been missing since the 1930's. • (U) Photos and videos indicated the Zorro Ranch had what appears to be a collection of New Mexico Colonial style artwork and artifacts in the residence. • (U) An abundance of open source information exists about Epstein's properties and the Zorro Ranch. Identification of a Zorro Ranch visitor, resident, or housekeeper could possibly lead to additional information regarding the contents inside the residence at the Zorro Ranch. UNCLASSIFIED (U) San Jose de Gracia Mission Church (U) Las Trampas is a village located in Northern New Mexico on New Mexico Highway 76 between Santa Fe and Taos. The church was built circa 1760 and is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in New Mexico and the Southwest. The church has been designated a National Historic Landmark. (U) Source: National Park Service. nps.gov (U) Recommendations a (U) See Appendix A: Expressions of Likelihood and Confidence in Assessments and Judgments Based on a Body of Information. b (U) See Scope Note. Throughout the literature, several spellings of the church were available. (U) See Appendix B: Expressions of Likelihood and Confidence in Assessments and Judgments Based on a Body of Information. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY EFTA00129048 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY (U//FOUO) A large amount of open source information exists regarding Epstein because of his alleged criminal behavior, his 2007 federal conviction, and his post arrest suicide in prison. There are likely numerous interviews with witnesses in FBI files, witnesses who may have indicated they had been inside the Zorro Ranch. • (U) Reviewing FBI or court files and witness interviews could possibly identify additional individuals who could be interviewed and provide eyewitness information on artifacts at or inside the Zorro Ranch. The Epstein estate is currently being settled in the courts. • (U) Interviews of housekeepers, security guards, contractors, real estate/insurance agents, pilots, and property assessors who have worked or had access at the Zorro Ranch could provide information about the items inside the property. • (U) Re-interview Lopez and his father using photos obtained via open sources or law enforcement files. • (U) Conduct additional research at public, architectural, real estate libraries that catalog periodicals regarding interior design, architectural lifestyle, and properties for sale in Northern New Mexico. This research could be accomplished by TOC Staff Operation Specialists (SOSs) or Intelligence Analysts. • (U) Open source information could be further exploited by TOC East Staff Operation Specialist (SOS) to locate individuals who visited or had access to the Zorro Ranch. (U) Key Findings Research (U) Guardian Report and Open Source Information (U) On 7 November 2019, Timothy Lopez was interviewed and reported that in approximately 2014-2015 Lopez read an article in a real estate magazine that featured a home with a room filled with Spanish Colonial art. In one of the photographs, Lopez noticed a bell that he thought might be the bell missing from the "Las Trampas" church. Lopez recalled that the missing bell, referred to as the "Death Bell"", is slightly smaller and thicker than the bell currently at the church.` Additionally, on 4 September 2019, Guardian 584213_AQ, Emilio Martinez, the caretaker of the church, stated one of the church's two bells was stolen in the 1930's.1 • (U) The Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Office of Historic-Artistic Patrimony & Archives, had only one article in the file pertaining to the mission church. The information indicated that one of the bells had been stolen (NFI).1 • (U) On 11 September 2019, Alex Lopez, father of Timothy Lopez, reported that he and his son Tim, discussed the possibility that the "slumber" bell, stolen from the San Jose de Gracia Church in the 1930's, was featured in a real estate magazine. Lopez indicated that the deed of the church was transferred to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe prior to the theft.2 d (U) See photo of the "Gracia" bell ("Happy" bell) in Appendix C. e (U//FOUO) See 374-AQ-3179705, Serial 2. f (U//FOUO) See 374-AQ-3179705, Serial I or Guardian 584213_AQ. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2 EFTA00129049 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY • (U) Earlier in 2019, when local news was broadcasting information about Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch, Timothy Lopez recalled that the ranch was the home featured in the real estate magazine article he read in 2014-2015.3 (U) San Jose de Gracia Mission Church, Bells • (U) The mission church has undergone several restorations. An extensive restoration occurred in 1931-32 and both bell towers were removed.' These two towers were noted in an 1881 report prepared by Lieutenant Bourke who describe the church in "good repair' with two bell towers.' • (U) Historical lore has indicated that the original bells were comprised of a gold, silver, and precious metal mixture. Of the two bells originally housed in the two bell towers, the one known as the "Maria del Refugio"g was rung for masses of the dead or for the death of an adult. The other bell, known as the "Maria de la Gracia", is the only bell currently at the church.' • (U) The date the church was built varies; the Archdiocese of Santa Fe reported the church was built in 15923, another source described the church was completed in 1760 and was first named Santo Tomas del Rio de Las Trampasg, and a National Park Service (NPS) publication refuted the folklore of the church's founding in 1592, and indicated it was consecrated in 1776.9 (.1) Zorro Ranch, Stanley, New Mexico (U) Jeffrey Epstein, billionaire convicted sex offender, died in federal prison 10 August 2019. Epstein had been charged with federal sex trafficking violations at the time of his death. Epstein's estate included the approximately 10000 acre Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico. It is alleged that the stolen bell from the San Jose de Gracia Church was kept at the Zorro Ranch. People associated either directly or indirectly with Epstein or the Zorro Ranch may have information regarding artifacts with the estate. • (U) The FBI arrested Ghislaine Maxwell, associate of Epstein, on 2 July 2020 after she was indicted by the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. The indictment alleges Maxwell assisted Epstein in criminal activity at various locations to include at his ranch in New Mexico.]" The sealed indictment, 20 Cr. 330, charged Maxwell with "Conspiracy to Entice Minors to Travel to Engage in Illegal Sex Acts" and included a photo depicted and described as "c. A ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico owned by Epstein (the "New Mexico Residence"). • (U) On 16 June 2020 a man and a woman from Artesia, New Mexico attempted to burgle the Zorro Ranch property. The couple attempted to break into a storage container at the Zorro Ranch. Property security guards, Amber Chavez and Cynthia Cano contacted Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department, the couple was arrested by a deputy, and the county magistrate released them both." • (U) On 18 December 2019, an online article posted by the Daily Mail, reported an anonymous female contractor claimed she was employed by Epstein to convert the S (U) See scope note. Several characterizations of the missing bell were used. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 3 EFTA00129050 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY voltage of light fixtures and chandeliers at the Zorro Ranch. The contractor claimed she likely observed victim in a room at the ranch. The article has photographs" of interior rooms at the ranch that the contractor apparently provided to the FBI.12 • (U) A photo', provided by Jun-Lyn Fontanilla in 2010, shows her and her husband Jojo standing with Jeffrey Epstein. Fontanilla indicated she and Jojo worked as Epstein's housekeepers." • (U) Epstein bought the Zorro Ranch property in the mid-I990's, was granted building permits and began construction of the 26,700 square foot mansion in 1995. In an interview, Bill Powell built some ranch buildings on the property for Epstein, and reported employees were sworn to secrecy (NFI) about property details." (U) Biographical Information (U) A search of 49 Zorro Ranch Road, Stanley, New Mexico, with the online parcel search service available on the Santa Fe County's intemet site returned "no results". (U) A cursory, digital review of real estate publication& serving Northern New Mexico revealed no article(s) regarding the Zorro Ranch prior to the arrest and death of Epstein that featured a photo of a bell. (U) Review of a drone video of the Zorro Ranch and online photos from Epstein's personal pilot, Larry Visoski's daughter's wedding revealed the front door15 had an ornamental feature that is bell shaped.' Additionally, Visoski indicated in an FBI interview that an individual named "Bruce LNU" was the Zorro Ranch manager as of November 2006.16 (U) Investigative/Intelligence Gaps (U) Existing law enforcement information that could provide supporting information, to include court documents and FBI investigative files, are available. These files could include listings of cataloged items in the Zorro Ranch as identified for evidence or as preparation for forfeiture actions. • (U) PACER search: o U.S. v. Jeffrey Epstein, Southern District New York, 19-cr-490-1 (RMB) filed 15 July 2019 o U.S. v. Ghislaine Maxwell, Southern District New York, 20 Cr. 330. • (U//FOUO) Sentinel Search: o (U//FOUO) 50D-NY-3027571, Pending, "Epstein, Jeffrey; Child Sex Trafficking", Case Manager-Amanda Nicole Young. (U) Photos in the article were captioned "US District Court, Southern District of NY". ' (U) See Appendix C for photo of the Fontanillas. (U) Archival publications reviewed included the Santa Fean and Sri Casa magazines as well as other online searches targeting real estate resources for Northern New Mexico. k (U) See Appendix C; photo of Zorro Ranch front door. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 4 EFTA00129051 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY o (U/fFOUO) 374-AQ-3179705, Closed, "Stolen Bell from San Jose de Gracia De Las Trampas mission church", Case Manager, Susan H. Garst. • (U//FOUO) FBI Requirements o (U//FOUO) USA-THEFT_CARGO-CID-SR-0930-20-III.C.3 (U) Scope Note (U) Scope Note (U//FOUO) Throughout the research process, the given name of the church varied. The variations were slight but rather than use each variation, the name used by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, "San Jose de Gracia Church" was used throughout the document. Variations included: San Jose de La Gracia de Las Trampas, San Jose de Las Gracias, and San Jose de Gracia De Las Trampas. The church is what is known by the archdiocese as a `mission' church; the church is administered by a larger church, masses are infrequent and priests visit on a limited schedule. Analyst Note: the use of the Spanish plural name "Las Gracias" may refer to the fact that the church originally had two bells, each a "Gracia" (a spiritual grace). That may explain why one bell is referred to as the "happy" bell and the missing bell as the "death" or "slumber" bell. The missing bell is also described as the "Refugio bell'. One archaic definition for the description of the Spanish word "refugio" is `comfort in death'. (U//FOUO) For this TIR FBI Albuquerque reviewed Sentinel documents and obtained information from other applicable FBI databases such as DIVS, GMAN, and Guardian. Open Source public searches and sites were utilized and Managed Attribution Internet Access (MAIA) systems searches were conducted. (U) Consumers: SA Susan Garst SSA Claudia Arias and SSA Luther T. Seals (U) Approval: IPC Leslie "Troy" Weber (U) Reviewed by: SSA Arias, SIA Weber, SOS Wilson (U) FBI Albuquerque, Field Intelligence Group prepared this Tactical Intelligence Report. Please address comments and queries to the FBI Albuquerque Intelligence Program Coordinator at I.505.889.1300. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 5 EFTA00129052 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY (U) Appendix A: Expressions of Likelihood (U) Phrases such as "the FBI judges" and "the FBI assesses," and terms such as "likely" and "probably" convey analytical judgments and assessments. The chart below approximates how expressions of likelihood and probability correlate with percentages of chance. Only terms of likelihood should appear in FBI products; the chart includes terms of probability strictly for comparison, as they sometimes appear in reporting of other government agencies. Furthermore, the FBI does not arrive at judgments through statistical analysis; and will not use terms of probability to convey uncertainty in external FBI intelligence products. UNCLASSIFIED Terms of Likelihood Terms of Probability Almost No Chance Remote Very Unlikely Highly Improbable 5-20% Unlikely Improbable (Improbably) 2045% Roughly Even Chance Roughly Even Odds 45-55% Likely Probable (Probably) 55.80% Very Likely Highly Probable 80.95% FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 6 Almost Certain(ly) Nearly Certain 95.99% EFTA00129053 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY (U) Appendix B: Confidence in Assessments and Judgments Based on a Body of Information (U) Confidence levels reflect the quality and quantity of the source information supporting a judgment. Consequently, the FBI ascribes high, medium, or low levels of confidence to assessments, as follows: (U) High confidence generally indicates the FBI's judgments are based on high quality information from multiple sources. High confidence in a judgment does not imply the assessment is a fact or a certainty; such judgments might be wrong. While additional reporting and information sources may change analytical judgments, such changes are most likely to be refinements and not substantial in nature. (U) Medium confidence generally means the information is credibly sourced and plausible but not of sufficient quality or corroborated sufficiently to warrant a higher level of confidence. Additional reporting or information sources have the potential to increase the FBI's confidence levels or substantively change analytical judgments. (U) Low confidence generally means the information's credibility or plausibility is uncertain, the information is too fragmented or poorly corroborated to make solid analytic inferences, or the reliability of the sources is questionable. Absent additional reporting or information sources, analytical judgments should be considered preliminary in nature. FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 7 EFTA00129054 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY (U) Appendix C: Photos (U) Photo of "Gracia" bell circa 1943. Trampas. New Mexico. The bell 'Gracia' on the left side of the entrance Into the church a POI/ NtO 0.0 D Tags Q ORDERPRINT nee states new memo Leos county 'tempos safety film negebves Dee "KW entrance clutch left wee n Date 01/0111943 S Contributors '• 'irk 1913-1992. phologthonte 9 Location ,e Source Figure 1 (U) Library of Congress (U) Photo of circa early 1930's restoration. 93. Restoration in 1931-32 left the Las Trampas church without belfries of any kind Figure 2 (U) National Pant Service FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 8 EFTA00129055 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY Figure 3W) Personal phew posted to Facehook datyrnailauktnewOrtido.7338361/k(floylp:ton.parso•41 p :-..ghtei.got-M ED.Now.I.Irmco.tancAr a II— 4 41,4rAPFAIRW Ctt. Figure 4W) Door at Zone Ranch FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 9 EFTA00129056 UNCLASSIFIED/NOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY (U) Endnotes (U) FBI 1FD-71A 1374-AQ-3179705, Serial 3106 March 20201 11 September 2019 1"U Stolen Bell from San Jose de Gracia De Las Trampas mission church" 1 UNCLASSIFIED I UNCLASSIFIED//LES 'source information is from an interview conducted to determine the validity of a Guardian pre-assessment. 2 (U) FBI 1FD-71A1374-AQ-3179705, Serial 3106 March 20201 11 September 2019 1"U Stolen Bell from San Jose de Gracia De Las Trampas mission church" 1 UNCLASSIFIED I UNCLASSIFIED//LES 'source information is from an interview conducted to determine the validity of a Guardian pre-assessment. 3 (U) FBI' FD-3021374-AQ-3179705, Serial 217 November 201917 November 2019 "(U) Interview of Tim Lopez"' UNCLASSIFIED( UNCLASSIFIED'. 4 (U) Book' The Missions of New Mexico since /776119801University of New Mexico Press" John L. Kessell accessed 7 January 20201 www.npshistomcom/publications/Kessell/nm-missions/las trampas.htm 5 (U) Book' The Missions of New Mexico since 1776119801 University of New Mexico Press" John L Kessell accessed 7 January 20201 www.npshistory.com/publications/Kessell/nm-missions/las trampas.htm 6 (U) Book' Build of Earth and Song, Churches of Northern New Mexico; 1993, pgs. 72-731 the book is a guide to churches of Northern New Mexico by artist Marie Cash, who received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to survey and document pieces of Spanish Colonial Art in these churches, and photographer Jack Parsons. 7 (U) FBI 1FD-71A 1374-AQ-3179705, Serial 3106 March 20201 11 September 2019 1"U Stolen Bell from San Jose de Gracia De Las Trampas mission church" 'UNCLASSIFIED I UNCLASSIFIED//LES 1 source information is from an interview conducted to determine the validity of a Guardian pre-assessment. 8 (U) Book' Build of Earth and Song, Churches of Northern New Mexico; 1993, pgs. 72-731 the book is a guide to churches of Northern New Mexico by artist Marie Cash, who received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to survey and document pieces of Spanish Colonial Art in these churches, and photographer Jack Parsons. 9 (U) Book' The Missions of New Mexico since /776119801University of New Mexico Press" John L. Kessell accessed 7 January 20201 www.npshistory.com/publications/Kessell/nm-missions/las_trampas.htm I" Online news article I The New York Times I "Ghislaine Maxwell, Associate of Jeffrey Epstein, Is Arrested" 12 July 20201 hups://nvtimes.com/2020/07/02nyregion/ghislaine-maxwell-arrest-jeffrev- epstein.html?action=click&module.Top%20Stories&pgtvoe.Homepage 1accessed 2 July 2020. " (U) Online news article I The Santa Fe New Mexican I "Couple Accused of Attempting to Steal from Epstein's Ranch"1 16 June 2020 I https://santafenewmexican.com/news/local news/couple-accused-of-attempting-to-steal- from-e steinwanchlarticle-d73df25c-afeb-Ilea-8f4c-312ed846fa7c.html l accessed 18 June 2020. 13 (U) Magazine article 'Forbes' Jeffrey Epstein's Ex-Housekeeper Facebook Photos show Her With Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton' 11 September 20191 https://www.forbes.comIsites/lisettevoytko/2019/09/11/jeffrey-epsteins•ex- housekeeper-facebook-photos-show-her-with-prince-andrew-bill-clinton/054e6d95b277f 1 accessed 10 January 2020. (U) Online newspaper article' Newspapers.com I "N.Y. Financier Plans Massive Stanley Home" https://newspapers.com/clip/35052147/ny-financier-plans-massive-stanley/1 accessed 10 January 2020 1 newspapers.com is a newspaper clip aggregate site; article was clipped from the Santa Fe New Mexican in a story published 10 September 1995. 13 (U) Online newspaper article I Daily Mail I "Exclusive: Jeffrey Epstein's Personal Pilot Was So Close to the Deceased Pedophile That His Daughter Got MARRIED at the Financier's Infamous New Mexico Zorro Ranch Two Years Ago" 113 August 2019 1 https://dailymail.co.uk/news /article-7338361/Jeffrey-Epstein-personal-pilots- daughter-got-MARRIED-New-Mexico-ranch.html 'accessed 16 June 2020. 16 (1J) FBI 1FD302131E-MM-108062, Serial 47126 November 2006126 November 2006 1"(U//FOUO) INTERVIEW OF LARRY VISOSKI". FBI INTERNAL USE ONLY - DO NOT DISSEMINATE EXTERNALLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 10 EFTA00129057