Christian Radio Personality John Balyo Charged In Child-Sex Assault Probe

Christian Radio Personality Charged In Child-Sex Assault Probe

Authorities in Michigan say Christian radio personality John Balyo paid to have sexual encounters with minors.

Homeland Security agents and officers from the Michigan State Police and Battle Creek Police Department arrested Balyo, 35, Friday at a Christian music festival in Gaylord, Michigan.

Balyo is facing charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to a press release by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Baylo allegedly paid a defendant, who is the subject of a separate ... child-exploitation investigation, to arrange sexual encounters with minor victims," investigators said in the press release.

The man Balyo allegedly paid to arrange the encounters has been identified by police as Ronald Lee Moser. The 42-year-old was indicted earlier this month in federal court on child exploitation and child pornography charges.

"They would meet in hotels in areas around Grand Rapids and Balyo would have sex with the children," a Homeland Security agent told Woodtv.com.

No further details in the investigation have been released.

According to Wzzm13.com, Balyo, who was married in April, was the morning host on WCSG Radio, a Grand Rapids Christian radio station owned by Cornerstone University.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news as you might be as well," reads a press release posted to the radio stations website Friday.

The release states Balyo is "no longer affiliated with WCSG Radio."

Balyo's online bio has since been taken down from the station website, but a cache of it remains online. According to the bio, Balyo graduated from Cornerstone University in 2003 and began working in radio.

"The most important part of my story is how CHRIST found me when I was about 8-years-old as my mom led me down the Romans Road one night," the now defunct bio reads. "I'll never forget how excited I was while trying to evangelize all the neighbor kids! My walk with Him has been - and continues to be - a great journey."

WCSG General Manager Chris Lemke briefly addressed the allegations against Balyo during a Monday morning broadcast.

"We can't make sense of this," Lemke said, according to Mlive.com.

He added, "Did you ever have any doubt Satan was loose?"

According to the Calhoun Prosecutor's Office, Balyo is being held in the Calhoun County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Before You Go

W. Jeffrey Paulish

Priests And Sexual Abuse

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