FALL RIVER, MA — A Fall River resident is facing serious criminal charges after a guest at his home discovered a concealed camera hidden inside a bathroom, sparking a police investigation that uncovered illicit recordings of multiple victims, including minors.
Marco Silva, 55, was indicted by a Bristol County Superior Court grand jury on September 17, 2026, and officially arraigned on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The Initial Discovery
The investigation began on July 4, 2026, during a gathering at Silva’s home. A guest noticed a suspicious item inside the bathroom—a hidden recording device disguised to look like a standard USB wall charger. The attendee promptly turned the device over to the Fall River Police Department.
What started as a initial response by the Patrol Bureau quickly escalated to the department’s Major Crimes Division, led by Detective Nicholas Custadio.
Extensive Digital Evidence Uncovered
Through search warrants, digital forensic examinations, and extensive witness interviews, investigators uncovered multiple recordings depicting unsuspecting individuals in various states of undress. Disturbingly, detective work revealed that some of the recordings depicted juveniles.
Detective Custadio’s work allowed law enforcement to identify multiple potential victims and build a comprehensive evidentiary case against Silva.
Fall River Police Chief J.T. Hoar praised Detective Custadio for his meticulous work on the case:
“Detective Custadio did an outstanding job investigating a case involving a particularly disturbing invasion of personal privacy. His attention to detail, persistence, and methodical approach to collecting evidence and identifying victims reflect the level of professionalism we expect from our investigators.”
Chief Hoar also highlighted the crucial role played by the individual who initially reported the hidden device, noting that their decision to come forward was instrumental in uncovering the illicit operation.
An indictment is a formal accusation of a crime, not a finding of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
