FORT LEE -- A former Marine who was sentenced to three years in prison for unlawfully having a gun at a Fort Lee nightclub has petitioned Gov. Chris Christie for a pardon, ABC7 reported.

Hisashi Pompey's friend was involved in a fight six years ago at the nightclub and took Pompey's gun out of its holster and took it to a confrontation with the police, ABC reported.

Pompey was registered to have the gun in Virginia, but not in New Jersey. No shots were fired from the weapon, the station reported. Pompey served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, ABC reported.

Pompey was an active-duty sergeant at the time and had just driven from the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia to visit family in the Garden State. He went to the club with his friend and had his friend lock the gun in the glove compartment and put the ammunition in the trunk, according to court documents.

But Pompey later removed the gun after a brawl in the club, and put the gun in his holster and put a magazine in the weapon.

Pompey lost his appeal and is required to surrender next week unless Christie issues him a pardon.

"Only help I am asking for is from the Governor, that's the only one, everyone from judges to lawyers say the only person who will help me now is the governor," Pompey told the ABC affiliate.

Christie's office declined to comment.

Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.