Hartselle Man Avoids Jail Time for Filming Boy in Walmart Bathroom

22-year-old pleads guilty to aggravated criminal surveillance, receives suspended sentence and probation.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:04pm

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An extreme close-up of a broken cell phone lens, with a faint red light reflecting off the shattered surface, conceptually illustrating the violation of privacy and exploitation of a minor.A shattered lens reflects the harsh reality of a crime that exploited a child's privacy and safety.Hartselle Today

A 22-year-old Hartselle man, Blake Thomas Lorance, has pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal surveillance for filming a 12-year-old boy in a Walmart bathroom stall in 2023. Despite the serious nature of the crime, Lorance received a suspended five-year sentence and three years of supervised probation, avoiding any jail time.

Why it matters

The lenient sentencing in this case has raised concerns about how the justice system handles crimes involving the exploitation of minors, especially in light of the victim's young age and the violation of privacy that occurred. It also highlights ongoing debates around criminal justice reform and whether certain offenders should receive alternative sentencing options.

The details

According to court records, in May 2023, Lorance followed the 12-year-old victim into the men's restroom at a Walmart in Hartselle, Alabama. Lorance then held his cellphone under the stall divider and turned the camera towards the child, who was exposed. When the victim noticed the phone, he yelled and left the restroom. Police later identified Lorance through Walmart surveillance footage and a photo lineup.

  • On May 21, 2023, the incident occurred at a Walmart in Hartselle, Alabama.
  • Lorance was arrested on May 26, 2023 and released the same day on $2,500 bond.
  • On May 1, 2024, a grand jury indicted Lorance on the charge of aggravated criminal surveillance.
  • In October 2024, Lorance applied for youthful offender status, but the request was denied in February 2025.
  • On April 10, 2026, Lorance pleaded guilty and received a suspended five-year sentence with three years of probation.

The players

Blake Thomas Lorance

A 22-year-old Hartselle resident who pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal surveillance for filming a 12-year-old boy in a Walmart bathroom stall in 2023.

Charles Elliott

The Morgan County Circuit Judge who presided over Lorance's case and sentenced him to a suspended five-year sentence with three years of probation.

Dwight Jett

Lorance's original attorney from Decatur, Alabama, who withdrew from the case in December 2024.

Victoria Waters

The Decatur, Alabama attorney who replaced Jett as Lorance's attorney in the case.

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What’s next

The judge's decision to suspend Lorance's sentence and place him on probation rather than impose jail time will likely be scrutinized by the local community and advocates for child protection.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around criminal justice reform and whether certain offenders, even in serious crimes involving minors, should receive alternative sentencing options instead of traditional incarceration.