Lopez Entered Recovery Court After Plea Deal
The defendant agreed to a plea deal following a 2025 theft and assault incident in West Valley City.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Property Crime
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Steven Lopez entered a recovery court program on September 15, 2026, as part of a plea agreement for felony car theft and aggravated assault. The deal follows a 2025 incident where Lopez stole a van and rammed a police vehicle.
Why it matters
The plea deal offers a path to charge dismissal and expungement for Lopez, provided he fulfills court requirements. Meanwhile, the District Attorney previously cleared Officer Greg Celentano of wrongdoing in the shooting.
Lopez agreed to pay $9,455 in restitution and must complete a three-year probation along with 15 months in recovery court. The court dismissed a class B misdemeanor charge for failure to comply with duties at an accident.
The players
Steven Lopez
He is the 35-year-old defendant who faced felony charges for car theft and aggravated assault.
Greg Celentano
He is the police officer who fired three shots at the suspect during the 2025 confrontation.
The details
On November 19, 2025, Lopez stole a van from an auto shop at 2851 S. Redwood Road and later rammed the vehicle into a police car in a shelter parking lot. During the encounter, Officer Greg Celentano fired three shots at Lopez, though none struck him.
Timeline
November 19, 2025: Lopez stole a van and rammed a police vehicle.
February 2026: The District Attorney determined the officer's shooting was justified.
September 15, 2026: Lopez pleaded guilty to theft and assault charges.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern set by Utah's recovery court program statutes, which allow for deferred prosecution in cases involving substance-related criminal behavior. Such programs are increasingly utilized in the region to address recidivism by prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration.
The closure of this case confirms that no criminal charges were filed against the responding officer regarding the shooting incident. Local residents are not subject to new safety advisories as the matter has been resolved through the court process.
The takeaway
The plea agreement provides a structured pathway for the defendant to address underlying issues while avoiding a permanent criminal record. Successful completion of the 15-month recovery court program and three-year probation will result in the expungement of his charges.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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