John Balyo, former Christian radio host, to plead guilty to federal child porn charges

By Angie Jackson
MLive
July 24, 2014

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/07/john_balyo_to_enter_guilty_ple.html

John Balyo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- John Balyo, the former Christian radio host accused of creating pornographic images of a 12-year-old boy, is scheduled to plead guilty to federal charges.

Balyo, 35, of Caledonia, on Wednesday was charged with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. Balyo on Thursday, July 24, agreed to plead guilty to both counts, records show.

As part of the plea, Balyo will forfeit his computers, photographic equipment and material used to sexually abuse or exploit children. The U.S. Attorney's Office will not seek additional charges.

The former morning show host for WCSG, a Christian station based in Grand Rapids, faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 50 years. He will be arraigned and enter the guilty plea July 29.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Authorities said Balyo in April took pornographic images of the 12-year-old victim in Kalamazoo County. He was found with at least nine images of child porn involving prepubescent minors in June.

Balyo was arrested June 20 in Gaylord. An investigation led to a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from an alleged incident involving an 11-year-old boy in Calhoun County.

Homeland Security Investigation agents allege Balyo paid Battle Creek resident Ronald Moser to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor. Moser allegedly posted photos on a website of a young boy in underwear bound to a bed.

Moser, 42, was indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of children, as well as counts of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, according to records in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. A jury trial is set for Aug. 18.

Balyo allegedly admitted to some of the conduct in the Calhoun County case. He was jailed without bond.

Investigators searched Balyo's home and a Plainfield Township storage unit. A Homeland Security source said his storage unit contained a "bondage" kit containing items such as handcuffs, duct tape and children's socks. Authorities also allegedly recovered magazines and articles about missing children, children's obituaries and a publication that talked about erotic photography.

Balyo for eight years worked for WCSG until the station, operated by Cornerstone University, cut ties with him shortly after his arrest.