FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A former Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedic accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in an ambulance on the way to the hospital in 2021 now faces multiple fraud charges.

James Melady was arrested in September after Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies said he assaulted a woman while in his official capacity as a paramedic in 2021.

Detectives found that Melady had defrauded multiple victims by stealing credit cards and identification to make fraudulent purchases, FCSO said. Three victims were identified during the investigation.

The investigation showed one instance where a 92-year-old victim had fallen and required transportation to the hospital, according to the agency. The victim’s purse was given to Melady to bring to the hospital, but Melady stole the victim’s debit card prior to returning the purse. Several days later, Melady used the debit card to make two purchases totaling $715.38 at Sam’s Club in Daytona Beach, deputies said.

Melady was arrested for fraudulent use of personal identification without consent of a victim 60 years of age or older and unlawful possession of a stolen credit card. He is being held without bond at Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility in Flagler County due to his prior arrest.

“After a thorough investigation by our General Assignment Unit and our partners at the State Attorney’s Office, it turns out that not only is this person a predator and a pervert, but he’s also a thief,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a social media post. “He continually violated his oath and used his position as a first responder to take advantage of victims.”

Melady was originally arrested after the Daytona Beach Police Department contacted FCSO about a video that was discovered when investigators were looking into other cases in their jurisdiction involving Melady.

The sheriff’s office said the video “explicitly” showed Melady assaulting a woman “while she was clearly unconscious” as she was being taken to a Palm Coast hospital on Oct. 17, 2021. The victim was unaware of the assault until detectives notified her, according to the sheriff’s office.

Melady was charged with sexual battery on a helpless person and video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older. Melady retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue in early 2024.

After Melady’s arrest, Flagler County adopted additional safety and security protocols:

• Mandatory two-person protocols: All ambulances will have two personnel who must ride together in the back with patients considered vulnerable or underaged to ensure oversight.
• Psychological evaluations: Mandatory psychological evaluations will be conducted on all new fire rescue employees to support mental health and professional conduct. Officials said this procedure was already in place before knowledge of the incident.
• Enhanced surveillance: Currently, all ambulances have external 360-degree cameras for driver awareness. An additional camera will be installed in the back of all vehicles so activities in the patient compartment will be recorded for safety.
• Rescue supervisor on all ambulances: In August, fire rescue established a rescue supervisor position for all ambulances within the county to ensure oversight on all units. This was before knowledge of the incident.