Christian Radio DJ John Balyo Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct Involving Minor

Christian radio personality John Balyo has been arrested on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Balyo is an on-air personality for WCSG-FM, a gospel based radio station affiliated with Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 35-year-old radio personality was arrested in Gaylord at a Christian music festival.

WOOD TV reported that Balyo’s home in Caledonia was raided as part of a joint investigation by Michigan State Police, Battle Creek police, and Homeland Security Investigations’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reports allege that Balyo paid a man to arrange sexual encounters with minors. The Battle Creek man Balyo is thought to have paid is Ronald Moser, 42, who was arrested earlier in June. Moser is also the subject of a Homeland Security investigation involving child pornography featuring young boys. Moser posted on an internet site, “looking for people in or around Michigan that r in to kids.”

The radio personality is confined in the Calhoun County Jail waiting to be arraigned on Monday. He was taken to Grand Rapids upon arrest for questioning. ICE officials stated that Balyo’s case is part of Operation Predator. Last year, Operation Predator made 2,000 arrests in sexual predator cases involving minors.

Khaalid Walls, a spokesman for ICE, said that enough evidence was discovered in Balyo’s home to head to Gaylord to make the arrest. Police allege Balyo had one sexual encounter with a minor in Battle Creek this spring, according to Battle Creek Enquirer.

WWMT News reported that WCSG-FM’s General Manager Chris Lemke informed the media that Balyo was put on administrative leave as the case is investigated. ICE’s statement said that more details of the case against Balyo are not being released until after Balyo’s court appearance.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the arrest and allegations against John Balyo, WCSG morning radio host,” Lemke said in a statement, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the investigation.” Balyo graduated from Cornerstone University according to his biography, which can no longer be found on WCSG’s website.

Prior to being arrested, the Christian radio personality was praised for his work sponsoring children through Compassion International and was even video recorded meeting his “compassion child” in Uganda. In the video, now littered with comments and accusations, Balyo is asked, “John I have to ask you. You’ve just met your sponsored child, what are you gonna do next?”

Balyo responds to the Christian radio interviewer, “I tell you what, this is a whole lot better than Disney World.”

[Photo via Facebook]