'About as low as it can get,' judge tells man who arranged John Balyo's sex with boy

By John Tunison
MLive
December 17, 2014

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/12/about_as_low_as_it_can_get_jud.html

Ronald Moser

John Balyo, 35, was sentenced Thursday, Dec. 11, to 40 years in federal prison for sex exploitation of a child and possessing child pornography. Balyo is a former radio host at WCSG, a Christian station operated by Cornerstone University.

Federal officials say this bondage kit was found in John Balyo's storage locker. Balyo, 35, was sentenced Thursday, Dec. 11, to 40 years in federal prison for sex exploitation of a child and possessing child pornography.

John Balyo, 35, a former host at WCSG, was fired from the Christian station operated by Cornerstone University when sex assault allegations came to light in June.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Ronald Moser, the man who set up sexual encounters with a 12-year-old boy for former Christian radio host John Balyo, has been sentenced to a minimum 35 years in prison.

"This is about as low as it can get" U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell told Moser Wednesday, Dec. 17 before meting out the sentence.

Moser on three occasions earlier this year brought a 12-year-old boy to hotels in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo areas for Balyo. Balyo paid for the rooms and paid Moser for the encounter, Bell said.

Investigators say Balyo, sentenced last week to 40 years in prison, restrained the boy in bed then sexually assaulted him. The boy’s family considered Moser a trusted friend.

Moser earlier pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

In court today, a therapist for the victim's mother read a statement on her behalf.

The mother claimed both of her young sons were victims of Moser, although prosecutors say only one may have been at the hotels.

"He hurt my boys in the worst way possible," the therapist read. "They're supposed to feel safe and loved."

The mother said Moser told the boys he would hurt her if they spoke of being abused.

Tessa Hessmiller, assistant U.S. attorney, described Moser's behavior as "abusive and degrading."

She said he talked online with Balyo and "joked and laughed about brutal things."

Moser apologized in court.

"I'm very sorry for what I did. If I could take it back, I would, but there's no way I can do that," he said, choking back emotions.

The judge described Moser's sexual deviancy as egregious.

"This was not something you were keeping to yourself. This is something you were merchandising," Bell said.

The 12-year-old, in some cases, was made to wear a diaper, girls pantyhose and spandex during the hotel encounters, the judge said.

"This was totally repulsive," Bell said.

As part of the sentence, Moser, of Battle Creek, also was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to cover family counseling for the victims.