37-year-old James Melady, a former employee of Flagler County Fire Rescue, has been arrested for alleged sexual battery on an unconscious woman while he was on-duty with FCFR. The arrest came as a result of an investigation by the Daytona Beach Police Department's Major Case Unit, with cooperation from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Major Case Unit. Melady is a resident of Daytona Beach.
According to a statement issued by the FCSO, Melady was shown on video molesting a woman while she was unconscious in an ambulance and Melady was in-uniform and on-duty. The incident occurred on October 17th, 2021 when the victim resided in Flagler Beach. She was being taken to a Palm Coast hospital when the molestation is said to have occurred.
The investigation on the FCSO's end was headed up by Master Detective Darrell Butler, who worked alongside the DBPD to unveil the details of the FCFR call and the identity of the victim. When the victim was interviewed about the incident, she told detectives she had no idea it had even taken place. Video of the incident reportedly indicated she was obviously unconscious when Melady was said to have accosted her.
The subsequent investigation came to a head on Wednesday when an arrest warrant was obtained for Melady, and he was taken into custody and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail. Melady reportedly fessed up to what he was accused of. He left the FCFR of his own volition this year, prior to learning of the investigation. He's still being held in jail as of Friday afternoon on 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 assaulted her,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. on the case “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 FCSO is asking individuals who may have information about other offenses by Melady to contact them at (386) 313-4911, or tips@flaglersheriff.com.
