In a significant legal decision reached on Wednesday, a Florida jury found former paramedic James Melady guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman during her transport to a hospital in 2021. The jury, however, acquitted him of the charge of video voyeurism, despite evidence that he had recorded the incident.

The deliberation took five hours before the jury convicted Melady, aged 38, based on the disturbing evidence that emerged. While the video of the assault had disappeared, it resurfaced when Melady’s ex-girlfriend stumbled upon it while searching for proof of his infidelity, according to reports from FlaglerLive.com.

Melady’s tenure with Flagler County Fire Rescue spanned from 2018 until May 2024, ending with his resignation after failing a drug test, as earlier reported by CrimeOnline. His arrest came in September 2024 when Daytona Beach police uncovered the video during an investigation into a separate allegation of sexual misconduct.

In his defense, Melady claimed that his actions in the ambulance were medically justified. He argued that the recording was meant to protect himself, given he was alone with the patient. Yet, questions arose when he admitted to deleting the footage from his phone, though not before transferring it to his computer.

The victim, who had been unaware of the assault until police approached her following the video’s recovery, recognized herself in the footage. Courageously, she took the stand to testify during the three-day trial, offering crucial evidence that contributed to Melady’s conviction.

Melady’s ambulance partner that day — Jesse Hunter, a 17-year-veteran — testified that there was no reason to perform a “pelvic exam” on an unconscious patient in the back of an ambulance and that he’d never seen one done in his time of service.

The now convicted sex offender faces more legal difficulties. He has been charged in Flagler County with fraud stemming from use and possession of credit cards stolen from a patients and in Volusia County with burglary and an unrelated charge of video voyeurism. The current jury was not told of those charges.

Melady will be sentenced early next year.

Flagler County Fire Rescue changed its protocols after Melady’s arrest. Cameras are now installed in the back of all ambulances, and two people must ride in the back when transporting any underage patient or any considered vulnerable.