A 37-year-old Florida man, James Melady, has confessed to sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in an ambulance while working as part of the fire rescue team. Investigators found video evidence of the assault during a broader investigation by the Daytona Beach Police Department, which led to his confession.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly didn’t mince words, labeling Melady as a “predator” and a “pervert.” The video shows him in his fire rescue uniform, assaulting the victim during an ambulance ride to the hospital back in October 2021.

Sheriff Staly expressed his shock, saying, “It’s unfathomable to me what this predator did to an unconscious victim while on duty.”

Though Melady retired from Flagler County Fire Rescue earlier this year, things caught up with him when Flagler Detective Darrell Butler got a warrant for his arrest. Daytona Beach police arrested Melady, and he was booked without bond. He’s now been transferred from Volusia County to Flagler County, where he faces charges.

Authorities believe this may not have been an isolated incident and that there could be more victims. Melady is facing one count of sexual battery on a helpless person and one count of video voyeurism. Detectives are urging anyone with information about this case or others involving Melady to come forward. If you have any details, you’re encouraged to contact the authorities.