Germ

"I owe him my life."

Michael "Germ" Sale was the lieutenant of a gang, who appeared in Seek and Destroy.

Background
Germ was born as Michael Sale in a small farming town outside of Dubuque, Texas. He was the second of three sons in an extremely poor family. His father died when he was sixteen, and his mother drank herself to death shortly after. As a result, he was forced to take care of himself, barely graduating from high school and getting a job at a fast-food restaurant for eight months. At some point, he was arrested and imprisoned for misdemeanor drug possession. While in prison, he met and befriended Ezekiel "Zeke" Daniels, a fellow inmate. When the two were released, they both stole a van in Arkansas and embarked on a cross-country burglary spree targeting high-class homes. At some point, they took in three girls under their wing: Kay, Viv, and Bethany "Bea" Adams. The five became a close-knit gang that specialized in burglarizing and vandalizing high-class homes, with Germ acting as the lieutenant and muscle. He became romantically involved with Kay at some point during the gang's crime spree.

Seek and Destroy
Germ is first seen with the rest of the gang as they ransack the residence of Rick and Lenore Purcell, who are being held hostage in a separate room. Unbeknownst to him, Kay, and Viv, Zeke kills the couple. Germ is next seen in the van with the gang when Bea comes back to tell the others that she found another house to target. Hours later, the gang comes back to the house, and ties up the homeowners Joe and Claire Vendl. After ransacking and vandalizing the house, Germ turns off the music and asks if he wants to leave, but Zeke says there is one last thing to do. Afterwards, Zeke brings the couple to the living room where they are, and Germ yells at him when the couple sees his face. He turns around while Zeke kills the Vendls, spattering blood all over his sweater in the process.

Horrified by the murders, Germ talks to Viv and Kay about leaving in the moments after. While Kay is ambivalent and Viv is conflicted, Germ continues to trust in Zeke, saying that he owes him his life. Later, while the gang is staying at a motel, Zeke tells them that he overheard their discussion to leave. Sticking up for Zeke, Bea reminds Germ about how Zeke took him in when he had nowhere to go. Later, while the girls leave the motel room, Germ apologizes to Zeke for doubting him, but tells him that while stealing is fine for him, murder isn't. The two then jokingly comment about Germ's blood-spattered sweater. When Germ looks away, Zeke points his gun at him, tells him that he had become too soft, and orders him to get on his knees. However, Zeke is distracted when Bea returns, allowing Germ to attack him in an effort to disarm him. However, after a short struggle, Zeke overpowers him and kills Germ with a shot to the neck. His body is later found and examined by the BAU.

Known Victims

 * 2016:
 * August 8, Lawton, Oregon: A victimless home invasion
 * October 12, Beaumont, Texas: A victimless home invasion
 * December 23, Newnan, Georgia: A victimless home invasion
 * 2017, San Diego, California:
 * January 3: Janelle Klecker
 * January 9: Rick and Lenore Purcell
 * January 10: Joe and Claire Vendl

Appearances

 * Season Twelve
 * Seek and Destroy