A former paramedic from Florida has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after prosecutors revealed he sexually assaulted an unconscious woman in an ambulance and recorded the heinous act.
James Melady, aged 39, will not only serve 10 years in prison but will also be subjected to five years of probation upon his release. He is also mandated to register as a sex offender, according to a report by FOX35 Orlando.
Florida State Attorney R.J. Larizza expressed strong condemnation of Melady’s actions during the sentencing.
“The defendant, who was a first responder, violated his duty by raping an unconscious patient when he should have been providing essential medical care,” Larizza stated. “His actions were vile, depraved, and deserving of the harshest penalty allowed by law.”
Melady, formerly employed by Flagler County Fire Rescue, faced accusations of sexually assaulting an unconscious patient while en route to a hospital in October 2021. Investigators disclosed that detectives from the Daytona Beach Police Department later discovered two video clips on Melady’s cellphone, allegedly depicting the assault inside the ambulance.
Melady, who worked for Flagler County Fire Rescue, was accused of sexually battering an unconscious patient while transporting her to a hospital in October 2021. Investigators said detectives with the Daytona Beach Police Department later found two video clips on Melady’s cellphone allegedly showing him assaulting the woman inside the ambulance.
James Melady, 39, was accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in the back of an ambulance and filming the attack. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)
Melady claimed he was conducting a medical examination when he filmed himself touching the patient’s genitals, authorities said.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said detectives later interviewed the victim, who was “completely unaware of being attacked.”
State Attorney R.J. Larizza condemned Melady’s actions as “disgusting, demented, and deserving of the maximum sentence permissible by law.” (FOX35 Orlando WOFL)
A jury found Melady guilty of sexual battery by a person 18 years or older, though he was acquitted of a separate charge of video voyeurism.
Melady also faces two unrelated theft cases that are pending in Flagler and Volusia counties. Prosecutors allege he stole credit cards and personal identification from patients during medical calls and used the information to make fraudulent purchases.
