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Ex-Fla. paramedic found guilty of sexually assaulting patient

A former Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedic was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting an unconscious patient during a 2021 transport

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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.

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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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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.