Ex-Fla. paramedic found guilty of sexually assaulting patient

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A former Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedic convicted of raping an unconscious patient in the back of an ambulance has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A Flagler County jury found James Tyler Melady, 38, guilty in December after a three-day trial, News4JAX reported. He was convicted of sexual battery by a person 18 years or older on a person 18 years or older.

| MORE: Fla. FD introduces new patient safety measures after medic’s arrest

Prosecutors said the assault happened in October 2021 while Melady was on duty as a paramedic transporting the victim. In February, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation, after facing a maximum penalty of 15 years.

Melady must register as a sex offender. He also faces additional charges in separate cases in Flagler and Volusia counties, prosecutors said.

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