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18 years in prison for Hillsboro 'House of Horrors' fugitive

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- A violent Oregon fugitive captured in Mexico after more than 20 years on the run was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to 18 years in prison for kidnapping and torturing two Portland women. 

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- A violent Oregon fugitive captured in Mexico after more than 20 years on the run was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to 18 years in prison for kidnapping and torturing two Portland women.

Paul Erven Jackson and his older brother, Vance Roberts, were suspected of holding the young women captive in the basement of their Hillsboro home. Prosecutors called it a "House of Horrors."

Jackson was charged with kidnapping, rape, sodomy, sex abuse and unlawful sexual penetration as part of a plea deal last Thursday. He agreed to serve the 18 years in prison.

At his sentencing Tuesday, the judge called him "pure evil."

“I think that they really believed that we would let it go,” said Andrea Hood, one of the victims in the case. "For me its been 25 years and never, not once during this 25 years, did I want to let it go. I’ve been willing to stand up and fight for him to get justice this whole time."

“I’m a new woman now. I can go home and start a new life, and be a new life and member to my community and be an example. Most important, be an example,” said Michaelle Dierich, another one of his victims.

Roberts turned himself in back in 2006. He was sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. Federal agents found Jackson in a hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico last September.

Jackson apparently had been living in Mexico for several years under the name Paul Bennett Hamilton, U.S. Marshals spokesman Eric Wahlstrom said after his arrest. Authorities got a tip after CNN aired an episode of "The Hunt with John Walsh" that featured Jackson's case.

"It's what started this," Wahlstrom told CNN. "It was a specific tip that came in right after it aired that led authorities to him in Guadalajara."

Jackson was arrested on his way to work at an electronics store.

"I'm feeling great," said Sgt. Bruce Parks of the Hillsboro Police Department. "This was a long time coming."

Police said the brothers would kidnap prostitutes, drive them to Roberts' home in Hillsboro and hold them captive for days.

After the brothers' 1990 arrest, their mother bailed them out and they vanished. Roberts surrendered 16 years later.

Two of the victims who came forward identified themselves as 20-year-old Michaelle Dierich and 17-year-old Andrea Hood. They were abducted in 1988 and 1990, respectively.

Police suspect there were more victims who were afraid to come forward.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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