Former Florida paramedic videotapes himself raping unconscious woman in his ambulance

On September 12, Florida’s Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) shared the very upsetting story of a man in a position of trust who betrayed that trust in a most despicable fashion.  Reportedly, on September 6, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit was contacted by the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) Major Case Unit regarding an investigation into a former Flagler County Fire Rescue employee, James Melady, 37, of Daytona Beach.

DBPD advised while investigating Melady on cases in their jurisdiction, a video was discovered of Melady molesting an unconscious woman in Flagler County while on-duty and in uniform while performing his official duties.

At the time of the sexual assault, Melady was a trusted paramedic and had set up a video recording device so that he could tape himself molesting the unconscious victim inside his ambulance.

FCSO Master Detective Darrell Butler was assigned the investigation and began working with DBPD to investigate the case. Through investigative means, Master Detective Butler identified the victim as a former resident of Flagler Beach and learned that Flagler County Fire Rescue had been called to her residence on October 17, 2021.

The sexual assault 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.

FCSO Major Case Unit detectives met with DBPD detectives to review the video, which explicitly showed Melady violating the victim while she was clearly unconscious.

Detectives met with the victim, who was completely unaware of being attacked by Melady.

On September 11, Master Detective Butler obtained an arrest warrant for Melady on one count of Sexual Battery on a Helpless Person and one count of Video Voyeurism on a Victim 19 Years Old or Older.

Major Case Unit detectives coordinated with the DBPD to locate and arrest Melady in their jurisdiction. Those same detectives also interviewed Melady, who confessed to his crimes and told detectives he retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue earlier this year. Melady was arrested on the warrant by DBPD and is currently being held in the Volusia County Jail under 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,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I’m thankful we quickly got him off the street and in jail where he belongs. I also commend our Major Case Unit for their tireless effort to catch predators like this, and for working closely with our partners at the Daytona Beach Police Department to bring this pervert to justice. It is likely there are other victims of his disgusting behavior.”

The arrest report says the ” … video clips depicted James setting up and moving the camera/recording device throughout the incident and clearly depicted James’ face.”

Deputies said they believe there might be more victims.

“So we believe there are probably many other victims, and if people think they were a victim, they need to call us,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.  ~ WESH

If you believe you may have been a victim of Melady or have information on this case or other victims, call the Flagler County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com.

For more on this horrifying story, see the video accompanying this article.

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(Source: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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