Grand Rapids Radio: Balyo Pleads Guilty To Child Rape

John Balyo

A former Grand Rapids Christian radio host pleaded guilty Tuesday to raping an 11-year-old boy in Battle Creek, according to wzzm.com.

John Richard Balyo, 35, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct in the May 17 assault in a Beckley Road motel room.

He faces a minimum of 25 years in prison and could be sentenced to a maximum of life.

Balyo also faces a minimum of 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in July in U.S. District Court to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. He will be sentenced there Nov. 6 and in Calhoun County on Nov. 10.

Balyo, dressed in an orange Calhoun County jail uniform, appeared with his attorney, David Dodge, before Circuit Judge Conrad Sindt.

He 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.

Balyo was fired by radio station WCSG 91.3 FM after he was charged.