Flagler County Sheriff`s Press Release :
BUNNELL, Fla. — Following an investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office General Assignment
Unit and the State Attorney’s Office for the Seventh Circuit, additional charges have been filed against
James Melady, a former Flagler County Fire Rescue employee who was arrested in September 2024 for
sexually battering an unconscious victim in an ambulance. During the investigation, detectives
determined that he had defrauded multiple victims by stealing their credit cards and identification
while performing his official duties as a paramedic.
Detective John Castanheira led the investigation, which found that Melady stole debit cards and
personal identification information from victims who suffered medical emergencies and used them to
make fraudulent purchases. In total, three victims were identified during the investigation.
In one instance, FCFR was dispatched to an emergency in which a 92-year-old victim had fallen and
required transportation to the hospital. During the incident, the victim’s purse was given to Melady to
bring to the hospital. Prior to returning the purse to the victim at the hospital, Melady stole the
victim’s debit card. Several days later, Melady used the debit card without the victim’s knowledge to
make two purchases at Sam’s Club in Daytona Beach, Florida, totaling $715.38.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant. Melady, who was already being
held in the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility from his September 2024 arrest, was rearrested
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 due to his prior arrest.
