FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) — A former local paramedic is in custody on suspicion of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman while she was being transported to a hospital nearly three years ago.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office first learned about the allegations on Sept. 6 after the Daytona Beach Police Department uncovered a video of 37-year-old James Melady allegedly molesting an unconscious female. Melady was reportedly in uniform and performing his official duties as a Flagler County Fire Rescue employee at the time.
Upon further investigation, sheriff’s office detectives learned that on Oct. 17, 2021, Flagler County Fire Rescue had responded to the victim’s home. While en route to a Palm Coast hospital, Melady allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in the patient transport area of an ambulance. Investigators with the sheriff’s office reportedly reviewed the video and saw that the victim was “clearly unconscious.” Detectives met with the victim, who was “completely unaware of being attacked by Melady.”
An arrest report reviewed by WESH-TV alleges that “video clips depicted James setting up and moving the camera/recording device throughout the incident and clearly depicted James’ face.”
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities obtained a warrant for Melady’s arrest on Sept. 11 on one count of sexual battery on a helpless person and one count of video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older. The sheriff’s office worked with Dayton Beach to find and arrest Melady in their jurisdiction. During an interview, Melady reportedly admitted to the crimes and said that he had retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue this year.
Melady is being held in the Flagler County Jail on $150,000 bond, records show.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said, “It’s unfathomable to me what this predator did to an unconscious victim while on duty while being entrusted to provide proper emergency medical care but instead sexually assault her.”
The sheriff also stated, “It is likely there are other victims of his disgusting behavior.”