By Mark Price
Merced Sun-Star
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A former emergency medical services staffer is accused of molesting one of his patients while she was unconscious in his ambulance, according to investigators in North Florida.
The incident happened in 2021 and came to light three years later when video was discovered by the Daytona Beach Police Department, officials said.
A man in the video was identified as Daytona Beach resident James Melady, 37, who was working at the time for Flagler County Fire Rescue, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. He is no longer with the department, officials said.
“DBPD 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 sheriff’s office said.
An investigation revealed an ambulance was called to the victim’s home on Oct. 17, 2021, so she could be taken to a hospital in Palm Coast. Details of why she needed hospitalization were not released.
“The video ... explicitly showed the suspect violating the victim while she was clearly unconscious,” officials said.
The woman, who no longer lives in the county, met with detectives and indicated she “was completely unaware of being attacked,” officials said.
Melady was arrested on Sept. 11 and charged with one count of sexual battery on a helpless person and one count of video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older. He is being held without bond, officials said.
“It is likely there are other victims of his disgusting behavior,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the release.
Anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of Melady is asked to call the FCSO Communications Center’s non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com.
The suspect was part of a team of paramedics and emergency medical technicians who are also certified firefighters, the county says.
Flagler County is about a 70-mile drive south from Jacksonville.
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