City police arrest 2 following drug sting

Two men have been arrested in connection with a drug sting operation conducted online by the Philadelphia Police Department, Chief Eric Lyons said.

The men have been identified as Michael Shoemaker and Earl Talley. They were arrested on the morning of Friday, Aug. 4, Lyons said.

Shoemaker, 35, of 268 N. Lewis Avenue, was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, according to Lyons

Talley, 51, of Woodland Drive in Canton, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Lyond said.

The charges stem from an incident on Friday, Aug. 4, at about 8 a.m. when PPD officers executed a search warrant at 268 N. Lewis Avenue as well as a felony warrant for Shoemaker, the homeowner. Lyons said officers suspected that narcotics were being sold from that residence based on an ongoing investigation where suspects where using social media to purchase narcotics.  

“Upon execution of the search warrant officers made entry into the home and took into custody a black male who was lying next to a Draco-style pistol,” Lyons said. 

That man was later identified as Talley. 

Lyons said officers searched the residence and recovered 303 grams of marijuana and over 18 grams of crack cocaine. 

Lyons said Shoemaker was not at home at the time of the search warrant but was taken into custody a short time later at a residence on Valley View Drive. Lyons said Shoemaker was the only individual arrested at that time. 

Talley and Shoemaker were subsequently transported to jail. 

According to Lyons, Shoemaker was previously arrested last August after a search was conducted at the same residence where he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. 

“That case has not been set for trial at this time,” Lyons said.