- September 17, 2024
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A former Flagler County Fire Rescue employee has been arrested for molesting an unconscious 19-year-old Flagler Beach woman while transporting her to a Palm Coast hospital, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
James Melady, 37, of Daytona Beach, was arrested on Sept. 11 after FCSO and Daytona Beach Police detectives served a warrant for his arrest. He has been charged with sexual battery on a helpless person and one count of video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older, a FCSO press release said.
The FCSO Major Case Unit was contacted by its DBPD counterpart on Sept. 6 regarding an investigation into Melady, who use to work for the Flagler County Fire Rescue. While investigating him the DBPD discovered two video clips of Melady molesting an unconscious woman while he was on-duty for the FCFR.
According to Melady's arrest report, the video clips showed Melady setting up and moving a camera around to record as he exposed the woman's genitals and molested her. Melady was wearing his FCFR firefighter uniform in the video and was clearly molesting the victim "during a call for service," the report said.
FCSO and DBPD detectives worked together to identify the woman as a former Flagler Beach resident. FCFR has been called to her home in October 2021 and she was taken to a Palm Coast hospital.
When detectives met with the victim, she "was completely unaware of being attacked by Melady," the press release said.
In an emailed statement from Flagler County, County Administrator Heidi Petito said the county wants to extend its support to the victim and her family.
"The actions described are deeply disturbing and completely contrary to the values of our organization, and the principles we uphold in our service to the community,” she said.
The DBPD arrested Melady and he is being held at the Volusia County jail under no bond. Melady admitted to detectives he molested the woman and said he had retired from the FCFR earlier in the year, the press release said.
Melady was hired by Fire Rescue in June 2018, the statement said. He was put on an unrelated administrative leave on May 8 for failing a drug test for a medication that he no longer had a prescription for.
That is when Melady resigned from Fire Rescue and he has not worked for the county since, the statement said.
“This is a horrific allegation that casts a dark shadow on Flagler County Fire Rescue,” Fire Chief Michael Tucker said. “Fire Rescue is devastated by this incident, as our team is truly made up of dedicated professionals.”
Sheriff Rick Staly said it was "unfathomable" to him what Melady did to unconscious woman while being entrusted to provide emergency medical care. It is likely there are other victims out there, Staly said.
“I’m thankful we quickly got him off the street and in jail where he belongs," he said. "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."
Flagler County is reviewing the circumstances of the case to determine if there are measures that can be made to strengthen patient safety protocols, the statement said.
“Our top priority is, and always will be, the safety and well-being of the people we serve,” Petito said. “We are committed to ensuring that the trust that our residents place in us is upheld, and that our services are provided with the highest level of integrity and care.”
Anyone who may have been a victim of Melady or have information on this case or other victims should call the Flagler County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or email [email protected].
This is a developing story. It was last updated on Sept. 13 at 12:44 p.m.
