JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - A federal magistrate who presides in a courtroom in Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to appear on a drunken-driving charge next week.

U.S. Magistrate Stephen Cole received a ticket from a Yellowstone ranger last fall. Cole presides at the tiny federal court in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Larry Gomez, criminal chief at the U.S. attorney's office in New Mexico, said he would release no additional information until after the court appearance March 5 in Jackson.

Gomez is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, a problem that could arise if a member of the Wyoming U.S. attorney's staff prosecuted.

A federal magistrate from New Mexico will preside.

AP-WS-02-25-04 0931EST