The host of a Christian radio show admitted to raping a male child, prosecutors in Calhoun County, Michigan say.
John Balyo, 35, was arrested for first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct on June 20 while attending a Christian music festival. The morning show personality of WCSG 91.3 FM admitted to the gravest first-degree charge ? sexual penetration with a minor under 14 ? shortly after his arrest, prosecutor David Gilbert said at a June 23 hearing. Balyo is now held without bond and could be sentenced to life in prison.
Balyo allegedly arranged an encounter with the 12-year-old in May, using a website that offered sex with young boys for money. Investigation of the website by the Dept. of Homeland Security led to arrest of site operator Ronald Lee Moser in early June. Evidence acquired from Moser’s home in Battle Creek led to Balyo’s arrest.
Balyo hosted a daily morning show on the ?family friendly? radio station, and was working on behalf of WCSG at the Big Ticket Christian music festival when he was arrested. (See WOOD TV’s coverage of the arrest in the video below.)
In a search of Balyo’s private storage unit, federal agents found odd and incriminating objects inside a suitcase, including duct tape, chains, children’s costumes, and four sets of handcuffs. A separate bag contained parts of a medical mannequin, WOOD TV reported.
Representatives of Cornerstone University, which owns the WCSG radio station where Balyo worked, were ?shocked and deeply saddened,? they said in a press release.
Cornerstone placed the DJ on indefinite paid leave on the day he was arrested. As more information was collected and released by media, Balyo was formally fired the next day. The radio station’s website is now deleted of all content bearing his name, aside from an apologetic letter from station Executive Director Chris Lemke, issued on June 23:
We sincerely grieve over these recent events, in particular the tragic impact on victims and their parents. The trafficking and exploitation of minors is absolutely deplorable. The WCSG family is deeply aching and know [sic] you may be hurting as well. ? Over the next few weeks, we request you to pray in earnest for everyone afflicted by these events, and most certainly, for the victims related to the allegations.
Sadly, investigators say they weren’t shocked to find one from a religion-themed occupation to be involved in such sacrilegious behavior. Said one Homeland Security agent:
We see violators from pretty much all social-economic statuses and all professions. It’s amazing what we see, so we’re really not too surprised anymore.
Since launching ?Operation Predator? in 2003, Homeland Security says it has arrested over 10,000 individuals for sexual crimes involving children.
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