Former Christian radio host John Balyo faces federal child porn charge

By Angie Jackson
MLive
July 23, 2014

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

John Balyo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Former Christian radio host John Balyo now faces federal child porn and exploitation charges stemming from alleged incidents involving a 12-year-old boy.

The former radio host for WCSG, a Christian radio station based in Grand Rapids, was charged Wednesday, July 23, with a count each of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.

Authorities allege Balyo on April 19 took sexually explicit photos of a 12-year-old boy in Kalamazoo County using an iPhone, a computer and digital camera. Balyo in June allegedly possessed at least nine images of child pornography, some involving prepubescent minors.

Balyo, of Caledonia, in June was charged in Calhoun County with first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving an 11-year-old boy in Battle Creek in May. He allegedly admitted to some of the conduct and is jailed without bond.

He was arrested June 20 at a music festival in Gaylord. Authorities searched his home and a storage unit containing his possessions in Plainfield Township. Investigators found a "bondage" kit that contained items including handcuffs, chains, duct tape, rubber gloves and children's socks, authorities said.

Investigators also found magazines and articles about missing children, as well as children's obituaries and a publication that talked about erotic photography, a homeland security source said in June.

In the Calhoun County case, Homeland Security Investigation agents allege Balyo paid Battle Creek resident Ronald Moser to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor. Moser allegedly posted explicit photos to a website and demonstrated an interest in trading child pornography.

Federal authorities said Moser had photos on a website of a young boy in underwear bound to a bed.

With the federal charges, Balyo is ordered to forfeit his computer, hard drives, all photographic equipment seized from his home, all material seized from his storage unit and all material transferred to a third party in June that relates to sexual abuse of children.

Balyo for eight years worked for WCSG, which is operated by Cornerstone University. The station cut ties with him shortly after the allegations came to light.