The ringleader of a crew that staged 10 robberies of Verizon stores in Southern California and Arizona has pleaded guilty to federal charges and is facing a possible sentence of life in prison.

Authorities said Zachary Wade of Long Beach pleaded guilty on Friday, March 1, to conspiracy and other crimes for his role in armed holdups in 2017 and 2018 that netted some $340,000 in smartphones and other merchandise.

Wade acknowledged choosing the stores, planning the robberies and doling how much each participant would be paid, authorities said.

“He also admitted to providing equipment such as duffle bags and loaded firearms, which his co-defendants then used during the robberies,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a news release.

The robberies took place in Tarzana, Torrance, Fullerton, Long Beach, Corona, San Pedro, Corona del Mar and Tucson, Arizona.

Eight other Southern California men have pleaded guilty to federal crimes for their roles in the robberies.

Authorities said they are Daniel Joseph Smith, 30, of Long Beach; Sean Keith Rivers, Jr., 25, of Long Beach; Marques Alphonse Petty-Wright, 31, of Long Beach; Randall Lee Tate, Jr., 30, of Long Beach; Andre Dierre Stovall II, 24, of Long Beach; Drae Tamar Wright, 27, of Long Beach; Sylvester Edwards, Jr., 29, of Lancaster; and Jeffrey Kevin Duran, 50, of Bellflower.

Most await sentencing.