Actor Mark Wahlberg has asked the state of Massachusetts for a pardon for assaults he committed in 1988, back when he was a troubled teen living in Boston.

Wahlberg claimed that he has since then "dedicated himself to becoming a better person," worthy enough for teens and adults to look up to as a model, USA Today reports. He filed a pardon application Nov. 26.

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The actor, whose latest film The Gambler opens Dec. 19, was involved in an incident in 1988 when he hit a man in the head with a wooden stick as he attempted to steal alcohol from a convenience in Dorchester, Mass. As he was running away from the police, he hit another man in the face.

Wahlberg's application said that he had been under the influence of marijuana and narcotics at the time that the assault was committed. The Oscar-nominated actor and box-office regular says he has been sorry for those actions and for his irresponsibilities as a youth. Wahlberg served 45 days of a three-month sentence for the crime.

The 43-year-old actor stated in the application that he turned his life around and has become a successful music artist, actor and film and television producer. He also notes he has raised millions of dollars for charity and donated his time and efforts for philanthropic causes.

In the application, Wahlberg detailed that he does not want to join charities and do philanthropies to cover up who he was when he was young. Rather, "I want people to remember my past so that I can serve as an example of how lives can be turned around and how people can be redeemed," he said.

He wants to use his "troubled past" in the "public spotlight to speak openly about the mistakes I made as a teenager so that others do not make those same mistakes," he continued.

The Massachusetts Parole Board is set to review Wahlberg's case before recommending the pardon to the governor, who is the only person in the state authorize to grant pardons. However, neither Gov. Deval Patrick, who will be stepping down from office after eight years as governor, nor his predecessor, Mitt Romney has granted any parole before and if ever Wahlberg gets the parole, it would be Republican Gov.-elect Charlie Baker who will be granting it to him. 

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