Prosecutor: Christian Radio Host Admitted to Raping Boy

By Christa E Graban
WZZM
June 23, 2014

http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/2014/06/23/john-balyo-criminal-sexual-conduct-wcsg/11274783/

[with video]

John Balyo.

A former Grand Rapids-area Christian radio host admitted to having sex with a 12-year-old boy, the Calhoun County prosecutor said Monday.

John Balyo, 35, of Caledonia, was ordered Monday to be held without bond after Prosecutor David Gilbert said Balyo made incriminating statements to investigators.

"The defendant did make admissions to count one of the complaint," Gilbert told Calhoun County District Court Magistrate David Heiss during Balyo's arraignment.

Balyo is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct -- a penetration offense -- and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct -- a touching offense. Battle Creek police have alleged he had a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old boy in Battle Creek on May 17.

The former host of a program on WCSG-FM, a Christian radio station associated with Conerstone University in Grand Rapids, Balyo was arrested Friday in Gaylord at a Christian music event.

The radio station's general manager, Chris Lemke, announced Saturday it had fired Balyo.

Balyo was arrested as part of a joint investigation by the Battle Creek Police Department, the Michigan State Police and U.S. Immigration and Enforcement.

A spokesman for ICE, Khaalid Walls, said Monday the federal investigation is continuing but no charges have been sought. Officials searched Balyo's house and car on Friday and Walls said Monday additional search warrants were executed, including one for a rented storage facility.

Balyo was questioned for about 2? hours Friday in Grand Rapids after his arrest and before he was brought to Battle Creek and the county jail.

His arrest is linked to the case against Ronald Moser, 42, of Battle Creek. Moser was arrested in early June and is charged in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids with manufacturing and possessing child pornography.

Walls said Friday the allegation is that Balyo paid Moser to arrange sexual encounters with minor children.

Detective Sgt. Jim Martens said both sexual assault charges against Balyo involved the same boy on the same day. Gilbert declined to comment on whether investigators believe other victims are in the county.

At the arraignment, Heiss told Balyo if convicted of the charges he faces up to life in prison and that a preliminary examination of the charges is scheduled for July 7 before Judge Samuel Durham.

And while a preliminary bail was set over the weekend at $500,000, the magistrate said after hearing from Gilbert about the admissions that Balyo would be held without bail "because the proof of the defendant's guilt is evident."