A former Florida paramedic is now facing accusations of a grave nature, charged with assaulting a woman he was tasked to aid. James Melady, from Daytona Beach, was detained last week on charges linked to sexual battery and video voyeurism involving an adult, as reported by authorities in Central Florida.
According to a NBC Miami article, Daytona Beach Police said they discovered a video that allegedly captured Melady molesting an unconscious woman in an ambulance during her transfer to a Flagler County hospital in October 2021. Melady, 37 at the time, was employed by Flagler County Fire Rescue. The specific events preceding the ambulance ride have not been disclosed, and, the woman was not aware of the attack until law enforcement personnel reached out to her.
An arrest report cited by sources illuminated that the video depicted Melady setting up and repositioning the recording device during the incident, and also unmistakably recorded his face. This case drew a strong reaction from the Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, who condemned the actions in an interview with WESH, stating, "To me, there is nothing more disgusting than what this pervert did." Sheriff Staly further expressed that he believes there could be more victims and urged those with suspicions to contact the authorities.
The investigation, which has spanned multiple years, suggests that this incident may not be an isolated one. During an interview with CBS News Miami, Sheriff Rick Staly said, "It's just very unlikely that you know this individual did one attack and then changed their mind (and) said, 'Oh, this wasn't as gratifying as I thought it would be, and I'm not going to do this anymore.'" Despite the charges, Melady had previously retired from the Flagler County Fire Rescue earlier this year.
Investigators are working to determine if additional victims exist and are analyzing evidence that might support further charges. Meanwhile, Melady remains in custody at the Volusia County jail without bond, awaiting the legal proceedings that will confront the allegations against him.
