YORKVILLE, Ill. — Three more children have been identified in an investigation into videos allegedly recorded while minors were changing at Martini Banquet Hall in Yorkville, police said on Friday, October 23, Focal News reported.

Source: Focal News (Chicago)

The new identifications came after authorities sought help from the public and the media, police said. Investigators said they have no evidence of additional victims beyond those identified to date, and any further charges will depend on the completion of investigations involving the newly identified children, authorities said. ABC7 Chicago (WLS) reported that Yorkville police said they have identified all the victims in the investigation.

Source: ABC7 Chicago via YouTube

Eleno Silva, 57, of Oswego, was charged on Tuesday with six felony counts of child pornography and three felony counts of child sexual abuse material, Focal News reported. Police said the investigation centers on images and videos allegedly made in a designated changing area at the hall, at 171 Saravanos Drive. The charges are allegations; Silva has not been convicted of anything in this case.

Source: Focal News (Chicago)

The case began after Montgomery police recovered images from Silva's cellphone during an unrelated investigation, police said. Authorities said the images showed underage girls in various stages of undress and appeared to have been recorded at the Yorkville business. Yorkville police later found multiple images on a device that appeared to have been copied from surveillance video recorded during events at the hall in 2023. CBS 2 Chicago reported earlier this week that police said Silva had multiple images on his phone that investigators believe were copied from surveillance video from inside the hall.

Source: CBS 2 Chicago via YouTube

3more children identified by police on Friday
9felony counts filed against the accused on Tuesday — six of child pornography and three of child sexual abuse material

Police have not said which events were involved. The banquet hall advertises itself as a venue for quinceañeras, weddings and other special occasions, Focal News noted.

Source: Focal News (Chicago)

Silva, who also owns Riverview Diner in Montgomery, turned himself in to the Kendall County Jail on Monday after investigators obtained an arrest warrant, police said. Authorities have not said whether the diner is connected to the investigation. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 10.

Source: Focal News (Chicago)

What is solid

  • Yorkville police said on Friday that three more children were identified in the Martini Banquet Hall investigation, after a public and media appeal, and that investigators have no evidence of additional victims beyond those identified.
  • Eleno Silva, 57, of Oswego, was charged on Tuesday with six felony counts of child pornography and three felony counts of child sexual abuse material, and his next court appearance is November 10.

What is only claimed

  • Police allegations that the images and videos were recorded in the hall's changing area and copied from its 2023 surveillance video — the charges have not been tested or proven in court, and police say any further charges depend on completing the investigations involving the newly identified children.