A husband and wife who set up a sex room in their southeastern Minnesota home received widely varying sentences for their roles in the sexual assaults of the woman's daughter over many months starting when the girl was 15.
Michael L. Germain,45, of Goodhue was sentenced Friday in Goodhue County District Court to a 13¾-year prison term after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Dismissed were 12 other related felony counts and a gross-misdemeanor charge.
Michael Germain will serve about 9¼ years in prison and the balance on supervised release, followed by 10 years of supervised release. He also must register with the state as a predatory offender.
Heather L. Germain, 50, was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony child endangerment and gross-misdemeanor drug possession. She was given credit for six days already spent in jail and has no more time to serve in custody.
She also was placed on five years' probation and in that time must abide by outpatient sex offender treatment, receive mental health therapy and have no unsupervised contact with the victim or minors unless approved by probation and a therapist. She also must register as a predatory offender.
Her plea deal also came under what is called a "stay of adjudication," meaning that her case will be dismissed if she meets all requirements demanded of her after sentencing.
During sentencing, the victim, now 20, cursed Michael Germain and also her mother for not stepping in, according to the Red Wing Republican Eagle.
The sentences ranged greatly because Michael Germain was perceived as the primary actor in the case while his wife failed to protect the victim, the County Attorney's Office said Monday. Also, the prosecution continued, the sentences fell in line with what the victim wanted.
