Balyo Sentenced to at Least 25 Years in Prison

By Trace Christenson
Battle Creek Enquirer
November 10, 2014

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2014/11/10/balyo-sentenced-least-years-prison/18814193/

John Balyo enters the courtroom for sentencing.

A former Grand Rapids Christian radio host was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping an 11-year-old Battle Creek boy.

"I just want to take this opportunity to say I am feeling very deep and constant remorse for my actions," said John Balyo, 35. "And I want the family to know I am very sorry and wish I could do something to correct what has been done."

Balyo pleaded guilty in September to first-degree criminal sexual in a May 17 assault in a Beckley Road motel room.

Calhoun County Circuit Court Judge Conrad Sindt sentenced him Monday to the mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of 50 years. He also must register for the sex offenders list and wear an electronic monitor for the rest of his life if he is ever released from prison.

Balyo still faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in December in U.S. District Court on charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. The sentences will be served together.

When he entered his plea, Balyo told the judge he met the 11-year-old boy and the child performed oral sex on Balyo. Balyo said another man was in the room at the time, and investigators have alleged that Ronald L. Moser of Battle Creek provided children for sexual acts with Balyo.

Moser also has pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child and faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 14.

In exchange for his guilty plea, a second count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct will be dismissed against Balyo.

In a statement read to the court, the child's mother wrote, "children should be loved and respected. They are not here to be used and abused. No child should be scared of people or of life itself. I think you should sit and rot in jail the rest of your miserable life."

Defense Attorney David Dodge reminded Judge Sindt that Balyo has no prior convictions and, "I can attest to his complete acceptance of responsibility of his behavior. He has never tried to minimize, rationalize or justify his conduct."

Balyo was fired by radio station WCSG in Grand Rapids after he was charged.

Call Trace Christenson at 966-0685. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson.

tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com