Former Mississippi paramedic pleads guilty to sexually assaulting patients in ambulances

PASCAGOULA, Miss. — A former Mississippi paramedic pleaded guilty Monday to sexually assaulting patients in the back of ambulances and admitted to fondling two minors during the commission of the crimes.

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James Walley, 57, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual battery and two counts of touching a child with lustful purposes, WJTV reported.

According to the Sun Herald, the two children Walley admitted to fondling were 5 and 7.

Prosecutors alleged that the incidents occurred between 2016 and 2019, while Walley, who was fired after his arrest, worked as a certified paramedic for ASAP Ambulance, WJTV reported.

The company serves patients in Mississippi and Alabama.

Walley faces up to 30 years in prison on each sexual battery charge and 15 years on each molestation charge, The Associated Press reported.

According to court records, Walley was alone with patients in the back of the ambulances each time an attack occurred. The ambulance drivers denied knowledge of Walley’s actions and never intervened.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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