Two men found themselves celebrating Independence Day weekend from behind bars after they were arrested on July 3 for allegedly selling prescription pills. 

The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Vice Unit had conducted separate, two-month long investigations following complaints about the sale of prescription pills.

During the first undercover operation, RCSO Narcotics and Vice investigators made an undercover purchase of 100 prescription Xanax pills and 50 prescription Lortab pills. This operation resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Paul McDonald, 21, of Conyers. McDonald was arrested and charged with two counts of the Sale of a Controlled Substance. He is currently in the Rockdale County Jail and has a $100,000 bond.

The second undercover operation resulted in the arrest of Matthew Arnold Reynolds, 26, of Covington, after RCSO Narcotics and Vice investigators made an undercover purchase of 20 prescription Lortab pills. Reynolds was arrested and charged with Sale of a Controlled Substance, Failure to Keep Drugs in Their Original Container, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. He is currently in the Rockdale County Jail and has an $86,000 bond.

McDonald was arrested without incident, while Reynolds resisted and was subdued by taser.

The two were mobile dealers, selling in various locations, and described by the Sheriff's Department mid-level dealers.

RCSO deputy and crime analyst Michael Camp said prescription drug abuse and sales have increased over the past few years nationally and locally.

"We also believe them to be the second most abused drug type (behind marijuana) in Rockdale due to easier access than other drugs," said Camp.