The dozen holdups include a July 2007 incident in which a 7-Eleven clerk was shot at 515 N. 300 West in Salt Lake City. Various members of the group are accused of robbing stores and restaurants, including Factory 4 U and a Chuck-A-Rama.

The defendants, who were arrested in the spring, are in custody. Prosecutors are planning to drop state charges against them in favor of the federal charges, which carry stiffer penalties.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined Thursday to identify the gang, but a Salt Lake City spokesman has said the Tongan Crip Gang, also known as TCG, is believed to be responsible for the robberies.

Named as defendants in the indictment, which was returned Wednesday by a federal grand jury, are Viliami Loumoli, 20; Filikisi Hafoka, 19; Siale Angilau, 20; and John Tuakalau, also known as Sione Tuakalau, 20. Tuakalau lives in Magna and the other three are Salt Lake City residents.

The four are charged with various counts of robbery and using, carrying or discharging a firearm during a violent crime. The firearm charges carry a 10-year mandatory minimum term for the first count and a 25-year sentence, stacked on top of each other, for every subsequent count. The robbery charges carry 20-year maximum sentences.

On the firearms charges alone, Tuakalau faces 185 years in prison; Loumoli, 160 years; Hafoka, 60 years; and Angilau, 10 years.

At a Thursday news conference, U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said Utahns are tired of violent firearms crimes.

"This is a stand against it," he said.

TCG received notoriety when a member allegedly killed Wally Knapton during a March 12 robbery at a Glendale Family Dollar store.

The 7-Eleven clerk who was shot in the robbery last year survived a wound to the abdomen.