COVINGTON, Ga- -The three teens accused of beating, robbing and kidnapping a Covington man last year will stand trial together following a ruling by Superior Court Judge Samuel Ozburn.

Ozburn joined the trials of Antonio Rodrickez Usher, 18, Mark Antonio White, 17, and a juvenile during a Thursday afternoon hearing at the Newton County Judicial Center.

The trio was arrested June 13 at the Wells Fargo Bank branch on Highway 142 North after allegedly pistol-whipping and robbing the victim before driving him to the bank to withdraw money.

The victim was able to alert a teller that he was being forced to withdraw money against his will and the teller was able to contact 911.

Covington police officers surrounded the bank in a driving rainstorm after responding to what they initially thought was a bank robbery.  Once the victim had been secured, police arrested the three as they exited the bank.

Authorities said the incident started in an unincorporated part of the county before the victim was driven to the bank after the suspects found a bank card in his wallet.

All three teens face charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. According to Assistant District Attorney Bailey Simkoff, they each face the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

The trial is expected to take place later this year.