Former Christian Radio Host John Balyo Sentenced in Sex Assault of Boy

By John Agar
MLive
November 10, 2014

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/former_christian_radio_host_jo_3.html

John Balyo, the former Christian radio host who molested young boys, was sentenced Monday, Nov. 10, to 25 to 50 years in state prison.

He had pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal-sexual conduct in Calhoun County Circuit Court after paying a man to set up the sexual assault of an 11-year-old boy.

Circuit Judge Conrad Sindt ordered that Balyo, 35, the former morning show host for WCSG in Grand Rapids, spend the rest of his life on electronic monitoring once his prison sentences end.

He also awaits sentencing in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids for photographing sex acts with a 12-year-old boy in a Kalamazoo-area hotel.

Sentencing in that case is Dec. 5 in Grand Rapids.

John Balyo

Ronald Moser

The man accused of setting up the encounter, Ronald Lee Moser of Battle Creek, faces sentencing Dec. 17 in federal court. Both he and Balyo pleaded guilty to federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

Moser was a trusted friend of the victim's family.

A therapist read a letter from the boy's mother, who said she never imagined getting a call from U.S. Homeland Security that her child had been victimized.

WCSG fired Balyo after the allegations came to light. His wife of only a couple of months divorced him.

Balyo was arrested June 20 at the Big Ticket Christian music festival in Gaylord.

Balyo was linked to Moser, who posted sexual photos of child porn. Police seized computers and photography equipment from Balyo’s Caledonia home.

During a search of Balyo's storage unit in Plainfield Township, police found a “bondage” kit that included handcuffs, chains and duct tape, court records showed.

jagar@mlive.com