GOODHUE — A southeastern Minnesota couple is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and trying to recruit her for a swinger’s lifestyle.

Forty-three-year-old Michael Lowell Germain and 49-year-old Heather Laverne Germain of Goodhue appeared in court Monday on charges including criminal sexual conduct and interfering with the privacy of a minor. The couple was released from jail after posting bond.

The charges allege the Germains set up a “sex room” in the attic of their home’s detached garage, where they kept sex devices.

In January, a 16-year-old girl told authorities that Michael Germain had raped her at the encouragement of Heather Germain. The girl alleged she was 15 when Michael Germain first assaulted her. She said the Germains are swingers who have an “open sexual lifestyle” and were trying to recruit her into that behavior.

Law enforcement searched the upper level of the couple’s garage and found an 8-foot-tall wooden structure in the shape of an X that “could easily be used to anchor or tie a person.”

Michael Germain denied assaulting the girl to authorities but acknowledged that he and his wife are swingers.

Heather Germain declined to comment Tuesday to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. No attorneys are listed who could comment on the couple’s behalf.