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Background: Flagler County Fire Rescue (Facebook). Inset: James Melady (Volusia County Corrections).
A Florida emergency worker is behind bars after he was allegedly discovered sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in his care while on the job.
James Melady, 37, of Daytona Beach, was arrested Wednesday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The allegations are the result of an investigation into Melady by the Daytona Beach Police Department’s Major Cause Unit, which was looking into separate accusations against the first responder. According to local CW affiliate WJXT, Melady allegedly committed sexual offenses in that jurisdiction as well.
His alleged assault of the woman in Flagler County was discovered during the course of that investigation, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
“[Daytona Beach police] advised while investigating Melady on cases in their jurisdiction, a video was discovered of Melady molesting an unconscious female in Flagler County while on-duty and in uniform while performing his official duties,” the statement said.
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Working together, investigators with both Daytona Police and Flagler County identified the alleged victim as a former resident of Flagler Beach and that emergency services had been called to her home on Oct. 17, 2021.
“The incident occurred in the patient transport area of a Flagler County Fire Rescue ambulance while the victim was being transported to a hospital in Palm Coast,” the statement said.
Cellphone video “explicitly showed the suspect violating the victim while she was clearly unconscious,” the statement said. “Detectives met with the victim, who was completely unaware of being attacked by Melady.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Melady confessed to the crime.
“Major Case Unit detectives also interviewed Melady, who confessed to his crimes and told detectives he retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue earlier this year,” the statement 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,” Volusia County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the statement. “I’m thankful we quickly got him off the street and in jail where he belongs.”
Authorities believe there may be additional victims.
Melady has been charged with sexual battery on a helpless person and video voyeurism. He is being held without bond in the Volusia County Jail.
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