Florida “preacher” admits sexually abusing unconscious woman during his fire service assignment

A 37-year-old Florida man confessed to sexually abusing an unconscious woman in an ambulance while working for the fire department, investigators said.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly called James Melady, a former Flagler County Fire Department employee, a “preacher” and a “pervert.” Daytona Beach Police Department detectives were investigating Melady on other cases when the video evidence surfaced.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, video found by Daytona Beach investigators shows Melady wearing his Flagler County Fire Department uniform as he “abused the victim” en route to a Palm Coast hospital on October 17, 2021.

“It is unbelievable to me what this perpetrator did to an unconscious victim in the line of duty,” Staly said in a statement.

Melady had resigned from Flagler County earlier this year when Flagler Detective Darrell Butler obtained a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday. Daytona Beach police officers arrested him on the Flagler County warrant and Volusia County corrections officers booked him without bail on Thursday. Melady was extradited from Volusia County to Flagler County on Friday.

“It is likely that there are other victims of his abhorrent behavior,” Staly said.

Melady was charged with sexual assault of a helpless person and video voyeurism. Investigators asked anyone with information about this or other cases involving Melady to call 386-313-4911 or email [email protected].