PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) -- A founder of the country’s leading gay rights organization was arrested Wednesday on charges related to an incident with a 15-year-old boy last year.

The Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit took Terrence Bean into custody at his home in Southwest Portland following a Lane County Grand Jury indictment.

Bean, 66, was on the ground floor of the Human Rights Campaign, according to terrybeanpolitics.com, and is listed as an HRC board member and Portland’s sole representation in the group’s leadership on hrc.org.

Bean’s lawyer, Kristen Winemiller, said in a statement Wednesday that it is Bean who has been victimized, and “look[s] forward to the opportunity to clear his name.”

“Over the course of several months in 2013-2014 Terry was the victim of an extortion ring led by several men known to law enforcement,” Winemiller said.

Winemiller said the arrest is connected to an ongoing investigation of a case Bean fully cooperated with. Still, sources familiar with the investigation told KOIN 6 News they believe there may be more victims in the case, part of an overarching investigation, and others may face charges.

“No allegations against Terry Bean should be taken at face value,” Winemiller said.

Amid the allegations, dozens of supporters took to social media defending Bean, including celebrated LGBT advocate and benefactor Bill Dickey.

In a Facebook post Nov. 19, Bill Dickey defended Terry Bean. (Facebook/ Bill Dickey)

Dickey’s post had more than 20 comments echoing his sentiments.

But Jeff Warila, a longtime neighbor of Bean’s Hayden Island residence, said he saw Bean bring younger-looking men to the condo and said he is not surprised by the charges. Warila said he saw Bean engaged in sexual acts with young-looking men through his kitchen window.

“The young men that come here, they seem happy, no one looks like they’re here under duress,” Warila noted.

Terry Bean was booked into the Multnomah County Jail, where he was released after posting bail. He faces a pending court date in Lane County, where Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Pete Simpson said the crimes occurred.

Source: http://koin.com/2014/11/19/portland-gay-rights-leader-arrested-in-sex-case/