Local
Oswego man faces nine felony counts in Yorkville banquet-hall investigation
Police say images of underage girls changing at Martini Banquet Hall were found on Eleno Silva’s phone during an unrelated investigation. Authorities are asking people who attended or hosted events there in 2023 to contact Yorkville police.
A 57-year-old Oswego man is facing nine felony counts after investigators say they found images of underage girls undressing at a Yorkville banquet hall on his phone.
Eleno Silva faces six counts of child pornography and three counts of child sexual abuse material, police said. He surrendered at the Kendall County Jail on Monday after investigators obtained an arrest warrant. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 10.
The investigation began after Montgomery police, working on an unrelated case, recovered images from Silva’s cellphone that appeared to show underage girls in various stages of undress at Martini Banquet Hall, 171 Saravanos Drive, according to police. Yorkville police then investigated and found images on a device that appeared to have been copied from the venue’s surveillance footage.
Police said the footage appeared to show girls changing clothes in a designated changing area during multiple events at the hall in 2023. Authorities have not identified the events. The venue advertises itself as a space for quinceañeras, weddings and other gatherings.
Yorkville police are asking anyone who attended or hosted an event at Martini Banquet Hall in 2023 to share information. Tips can be submitted by calling 630-553-8590 or emailing ypdtipline@yorkville.il.us.
The charges are allegations; Silva has not been convicted. Police have not released further details about the investigation.