A radio personality for a Christian station in Michigan was placed on leave from his job after he was arrested as part of a child sex probe.
John Balyo, a morning show host on WCSG Radio, was arrested Friday after a federal investigation revealed he paid another man to set up sexual encounters with underage children, police told the New York Daily News. Balyo, 35, was at a Christian family concert in Gaylord when Battle Creek police showed up and took him into custody.
The general manager of the Grand Rapids-based radio station is expected to make an announcement about Balyo's status Monday morning during the show.
"Effective today, John Balyo is no longer affiliated with WCSG Radio," the station told WXMI-TV on Friday.
Authorities from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement connected Balyo to a suspected human trafficking ring when they arrested another suspect, Ronald Moser, at the beginning of June. Police discovered Moser living with a 12-year-old boy and child pornography during a raid at the man's Battle Creek home, the Daily News reported.
Moser is also accused of running a website where he charged other men to have sex with minors. Police said Moser told them of Baylo's involvement.
"We got the statements from the other suspect," Sergeant Jim Martens told WXMI-TV. "We had other information that we collected from his residence. We obviously had to set up times that we had to speak with possible victims. As soon as we developed name information we did move quickly."
Baylo was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
It is not immediately clear if Balyo is fired from WCSG radio. The general manager, Chris Lemke, announced that Balyo was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the arrest and allegations against John Balyo." Lamke said in a statement obtained by the Daily News. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the investigation."