OAKLAND, Calif. -- Federal prosecutors announced today that four men have been indicted on charges of shooting and robbing a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in Oakland in November.

The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Oakland on Jan. 6 and was unsealed today.

The letter carrier was shot in the leg and robbed near the corner of 57th and Genoa streets in Oakland on Nov. 10.

U.S. attorney's office spokesman Luke Macaulay said the postal worker was hospitalized for more than two weeks, remains in considerable pain and continues to have difficulty walking.

The four indicted men are Ruben Cannon, 18, of El Sobrante, and Richmond residents Erique Dixon, 18, Lawrence Fleming, 20, and Gerard Hood, 22.

The indictment alleges that the four men met in Richmond on Nov. 10, decided to carry out a robbery, picked up a gun and masks, drove to Oakland to find a victim and spotted the letter carrier and his postal truck.

Cannon allegedly drove the getaway car and the other three men allegedly robbed the carrier of a small amount of money and a cell phone, according to the indictment.

Hood allegedly punched the carrier in the face and Fleming allegedly shot him in the leg, causing "permanent, life-threatening and severe bodily injury," the indictment said.

The four men are each charged with four counts: conspiring to assault a federal employee, forcibly assaulting a U.S. employee, conspiring to use a gun in a violent crime, and using a gun in such a crime.

The counts each carry maximum possible sentences varying from five years to life in prison upon conviction.

Cannon and Dixon were previously charged in a criminal complaint. The indictment expands on the charges and adds Hood and Fleming as defendants.

Hood and Fleming made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Wayne Brazil in Oakland today and were ordered to remain in custody until a bail hearing on Jan. 13.

Cannon and Dixon were previously released on $100,000 bonds.