Sheheit has regularly traveled in Russia it turns out...
Yes, she is a dumbass. That’s why the Russians picked her. They want their propaganda hostages to have a shady past. She is perfect for it having badmouthed America before and now wishing to be saved.
Same with Whealan. He was a POG with a Bad Conduct discharge after stealing money from the USMC and forging a letter recommending himself for the Legion of Merit.
Russians wouldn’t want their hostages to be all American heroes. They pick these kinds of (very) imperfect people on purpose.