PALM COAST, Fla. – A former Flagler County Fire Rescue (FCFR) paramedic has been arrested after deputies said he was caught on video molesting an unconscious woman while on duty.
The Daytona Beach Police Department contacted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) about James Melady, of Daytona Beach, on Sept. 6 after discovering the video.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on Oct. 17, 2021, when fire rescue crews were called to the woman’s home.
The woman, who was a former resident of Flagler Beach, was taken to a hospital in Palm Coast in an ambulance.
Deputies said the investigation revealed the video “explicitly showed [Melady] violating the victim while she was clearly unconscious.”
When deputies spoke to the woman about the incident, she told them she was “completely unaware of being attacked.”
The 37-year-old was arrested and charged with sexual battery on a helpless person and video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older.
FCSO said Melady confessed to the crime and told them he retired from FCFR earlier this year.
He is held in the Volusia County jail with no bond.
“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,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I’m thankful we quickly got him off the street and in jail where he belongs. [...] It is likely there are other victims of his disgusting behavior.”
If you may have been a victim of Melady or have information on this case, call 386-313-4911.